The NFL regular season usually starts in early September, with the first game played on a Thursday. The exact date changes each year, so check the current season’s official schedule for the confirmed kickoff.
If you mean the wider NFL season, football activity begins earlier: training camps open in July, and preseason games are played in August. This guide explains which start date people usually mean, how the calendar works, and when the schedule is announced.
You’ll also find tips for checking game times in your time zone and distinguishing the NFL opener from college football and the Hall of Fame Game.
When football start nfl: the regular-season date
For most fans, the NFL season starts with the first regular-season game in early September. The opener is usually scheduled for Thursday night, shortly after Labor Day. Its date is not fixed to the same calendar day every year, so the schedule for that season is the reliable source for the exact kickoff.
The first game is often called the NFL Kickoff Game or season opener. It traditionally features the reigning Super Bowl champion at home, although the league can make exceptions. The first full Sunday slate follows soon afterward, giving fans a complete day of games.
The regular season now spans 18 weeks, with each team playing 17 games and receiving one bye week. Because teams’ bye weeks differ, the season does not end for every club on the same weekend. The final regular-season games are generally played in early January, depending on the calendar.
If you are asking when NFL football returns to television, preseason games may be the first broadcasts you see. If you mean meaningful games that count toward the standings, look for the regular-season opener instead.
How the NFL calendar moves from summer to kickoff
There is more than one reasonable answer to “when does football start?” The NFL calendar includes offseason workouts, training camp, preseason games, and the regular season. These stages have different purposes, and only regular-season results determine standings and playoff qualification.
| Stage | Usual timing | What it means | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training camp | July into August | Teams prepare, evaluate players, and install their plans for the season. | Fans following roster battles and player development |
| Hall of Fame Game | Usually late July or early August | A preseason game that often marks the first NFL game broadcast of the year. | Fans eager for the earliest taste of live NFL action |
| Preseason | August | Exhibition games help teams prepare; results do not count in the regular-season standings. | Watching backups and players competing for roster spots |
| Regular season | Early September to early January | Each team plays 17 games across 18 weeks. | Following standings, playoff races, and official team records |
| Playoffs | January into February | Teams compete in elimination games, ending with the Super Bowl. | Postseason matchups and the championship |
Training camp begins before the games, but it is not the start of the regular season. Teams typically hold camp in July, though the exact reporting dates vary. Rookies and veterans may report on different days, and a team’s date can depend on its preseason schedule.
The Hall of Fame Game is part of the preseason, not a regular-season game. It is played in connection with the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s annual festivities. Its early placement can make it feel like the NFL has started, but teams still have several weeks of preparation before games count.
Preseason schedules usually include a small number of games in August. Coaches use them to assess players and give many starters limited playing time, but approaches differ by team and year. A preseason win does not count toward a team’s regular-season record.
Why the NFL opening date changes each year
The league builds its schedule around a weekly format, television windows, venue availability, and the calendar. The regular season generally begins on a Thursday in early September, but the date shifts because weekdays fall on different calendar dates from year to year.
The NFL also coordinates the opener with the broader schedule. The league needs to place 272 regular-season games across 18 weeks, while accounting for bye weeks, stadium events, travel, and broadcast arrangements. That is why a familiar opening-week pattern does not guarantee the same date every season.
Labor Day can help orient you: the opening game is usually shortly after the holiday. But do not use Labor Day as a substitute for the official date. The holiday falls on a different date each year, and the league’s schedule is the final word.
There can also be exceptions to the Thursday-night tradition. Special international or calendar arrangements may affect a season’s opening week. If the exact first game matters for travel, a watch party, or a subscription, confirm the announced matchup and kickoff time rather than relying on a typical pattern.
When the NFL schedule comes out
The full regular-season schedule is usually released in the spring, often in May. The league may announce selected marquee games earlier, but those early announcements are not a complete schedule. The full release supplies opponents, dates, kickoff times, and broadcast assignments for every regular-season game.
Before the schedule is released, a team’s opponents may already be known. The league determines opponents using division matchups and a rotating schedule formula. However, knowing who a team will play does not tell you the confirmed date, time, or network for each game.
After release, check the NFL’s official schedule or the team’s official schedule page. These sources are especially useful if you need to confirm a changed kickoff time, a flexible broadcast selection, or a game that has been moved. A schedule on a third-party site can help you browse, but verify important plans against an official listing.
Practical tip: Add games to your calendar only after the full schedule is available, and select your time zone before saving them. Some calendar feeds update when kickoff times change, while a manually entered event may not.
How to find the kickoff time where you live
NFL kickoff times are commonly listed in Eastern Time in national schedules. A game shown as 8:20 p.m. Eastern starts at 7:20 p.m. Central, 6:20 p.m. Mountain, and 5:20 p.m. Pacific, subject to the date and local time-zone rules. Check how a site labels its times before making plans.
Use these steps to find the right start time:
- Choose the season. Make sure the schedule is for the year you intend to watch.
- Find the game listing. Check the teams, date, and whether the game is preseason, regular season, or postseason.
- Confirm the time zone. Look for a time-zone label or change the schedule’s settings to your location.
- Check the broadcast details. Confirm the network or streaming option available for that game in your area.
- Recheck close to game day. Kickoff times can be adjusted, and weather or other disruptions can affect plans.
“Kickoff” means the scheduled start of the game, not necessarily the moment the broadcast begins. Television coverage often starts before kickoff with pregame analysis. If you want to watch the opening play, use the game’s stated kickoff time and allow a few minutes for broadcast timing.
International games can begin at times that seem unusual for U.S. viewers. The venue’s local time and the U.S. broadcast schedule both matter, so use a listing that converts the start time to your location.
How the NFL season differs from college football
The NFL and college football are separate competitions with different schedules. College football games begin before the NFL regular season, with many teams starting their seasons in late August or early September. Their opening dates vary by school and conference.
That overlap can cause confusion in search results and sports listings. A college game taking place on a Saturday does not mean the NFL has started, and an NFL preseason broadcast does not mark the beginning of the regular-season standings. Check the league name and game label before assuming a date refers to NFL regular-season play.
There is also a difference in how the schedules are built. NFL teams play a 17-game regular season over 18 weeks. College teams do not share one league-wide schedule; their opponents, conferences, and postseason paths depend on the college football system.
If you want the first live football game of any kind, college games or NFL preseason may come first. If you want the first NFL game that counts in the standings, focus on the NFL regular-season opener.
What happens after the regular season starts?
Once the opening game is played, the NFL moves into a weekly rhythm. Most games are held on Sundays, with additional games commonly scheduled for Thursday and Monday nights. Some weeks include games on other days, especially around holidays or international events.
Each team’s bye week is a scheduled week off during the regular season. It is part of the 18-week calendar, not a postponed game or a sign that the team’s season has ended. A team still plays 17 games, but its open week differs from its opponents’ schedules.
After the regular season, qualifying teams enter the playoffs. The postseason takes place in January and leads to the Super Bowl, generally played in February. The exact postseason dates depend on the season calendar, so the regular-season start date alone cannot tell you the Super Bowl date.
For a particular team, check its own schedule rather than relying only on the league-wide opener. Your team may not play on opening night, and its first game could be on Sunday or another day in the opening week.
Common mistakes when checking the NFL start date
- Treating preseason as the regular season. Preseason games are NFL games, but they do not count in the standings.
- Assuming opening night is always the same date. The Thursday opener shifts with the calendar and league schedule.
- Confusing the Hall of Fame Game with Week 1. It is a preseason contest, even though it may be the first game shown that year.
- Reading a date without its time zone. A listed kickoff may be several hours different from your local time.
- Using an old schedule. Search results and saved calendars can show past seasons; confirm the season label.
- Assuming your favorite team plays first. The league-wide opener is only one matchup, and your team may start later in the week.
One detail many viewers miss is the difference between the TV broadcast start and the official kickoff. A listing may advertise coverage well before the game begins. For an event or travel plan, use the kickoff time and check the venue’s entry guidance separately.
Quick answers about the NFL season start
Does the NFL season always start in September?
The regular season usually begins in early September, but the exact date varies. Preseason activity begins earlier, often in August, and training camps begin in July.
What is the first NFL game of the year?
The first televised NFL game is often the Hall of Fame Game, a preseason matchup. The first regular-season game is usually the Thursday-night opener in early September.
How many games does each NFL team play?
Each team plays 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks, including one bye week. Preseason games and playoff games are separate from that regular-season total.
When is the exact date announced?
The full schedule is generally released in the spring, often in May. Selected games may be announced sooner, but wait for the complete schedule to confirm every date and kickoff time.
When does the NFL season end?
The regular season usually finishes in early January. Playoff games follow, with the season ending at the Super Bowl, which is generally held in February.
The NFL regular season typically begins with a Thursday-night game in early September, while training camp and preseason action start earlier. The exact date, matchup, and kickoff time change from season to season.
Check the official NFL or team schedule for the current season, then confirm the time zone and broadcast details before making plans. That is the simplest way to know precisely when football start nfl for the year you want to watch.