If you mean the NFL, football returns with preseason games in August and regular-season games in early September. The 2025 NFL regular season began on September 4; other leagues have different calendars.
The exact answer depends on which kind of football and which season you mean. Here’s how NFL, college football, and soccer schedules usually line up, what preseason games mean, and where to find a confirmed kickoff date for the season you’re following.
When will football start again? The short answer
For American football in the United States, the NFL’s regular season usually begins in early September. Teams play preseason games in August, so football broadcasts and stadium events return before the games count toward the standings. In 2025, the NFL regular season started on September 4.
College football generally starts earlier, in late August. Its schedule includes a small number of opening-week games before the main slate of games over Labor Day weekend. High school seasons commonly begin in August or early September, but dates depend on the state and school association.
“Football” can also mean association football, usually called soccer in the United States. Soccer does not share one worldwide start date: leagues such as Major League Soccer, the English Premier League, and other competitions follow separate calendars. Check the competition, not just the sport, to get the right date.
For a season other than 2025, don’t assume the prior year’s kickoff date repeats. The league announces its schedule each season, and opening dates can shift for television plans, international games, or other calendar changes.
American football’s calendar, from preseason to playoffs
The NFL has several distinct stages. Knowing which one you mean helps explain why one person may say football starts in August while another says September.
| Stage | Typical timing | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training camp | July into August | Teams practice and prepare; some practices are open to the public. | Fans who want an early look at players and teams |
| NFL preseason | August | Teams play exhibition games, often giving players different amounts of playing time. | Seeing football return before the standings begin |
| NFL regular season | Early September through January | Games count toward each team’s record and playoff qualification. | Following weekly matchups and the playoff race |
| NFL playoffs | January into February | Teams compete in elimination games, ending with the Super Bowl. | Watching the championship run |
| College football | Late August through January | Schools play regular-season games, conference championships, and bowl or playoff games. | Following a particular school or college postseason |
Preseason is not the regular season
Preseason games are official exhibition games, but they do not count toward a team’s regular-season win-loss record. Coaches use them to evaluate players, test combinations, and prepare for competitive games. Playing time varies, especially for established starters, so a preseason result is not a reliable forecast of a team’s full-season performance.
That distinction matters if you are looking for the first game that affects standings, fantasy football, or playoff chances. For those purposes, use the regular-season opener, not the first preseason broadcast or training-camp practice.
When NFL and college football usually return
The NFL’s annual rhythm is fairly consistent: training camps open in summer, preseason games take place in August, and the regular season begins in early September. However, the exact dates and weekly matchups change each year. The NFL schedule typically identifies opening-week games, international games, bye weeks, and the final regular-season weekend.
College football usually begins in late August, with some games scheduled before the main opening weekend. The season then runs through the fall, with conference championship games in December and postseason games extending into January. The specific end date depends on the bowl schedule and playoff format for that season.
There is no single nationwide kickoff for college football. Different teams can open on different days, and early games may be scheduled on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. If you follow one school, look up that team’s schedule rather than relying on a general season-start estimate.
High school football follows local calendars. Start dates, practice rules, and the number of games vary by state and school association. A local school’s athletics page or association calendar is the useful source for a specific team.
How to find the exact kickoff date you need
Use the competition’s official schedule when you need a confirmed date. Search by league or team, and make sure the result refers to the season you mean. Search listings can show old schedules or preseason dates next to regular-season games.
- Name the competition. Decide whether you mean the NFL, college football, a particular high school, or a soccer league.
- Choose the season. Confirm the year before using a date. Annual start dates can change.
- Check the event type. Look for “regular season” if you want the first game that counts. Training camp and preseason are earlier.
- Confirm the matchup and time zone. A game listed on one date in the local venue’s time zone may appear on another date where you live, especially for international games.
- Check for updates near game day. Kickoff times and broadcast details can change. The team or competition’s official schedule is generally the clearest confirmation.
For an NFL team, its schedule page is more useful than a league-wide season overview if you want that team’s first game. For college football, check the school’s athletics site or the relevant conference schedule. For soccer, search the league and season name because its calendar may not match American football’s.
Why there is no one date for football
Football schedules depend on the league’s format and the teams involved. The NFL, college conferences, high school associations, and soccer leagues set their own calendars. Some play in fall, while other competitions run in different seasons or span much of the year.
Even within one league, teams do not all play their first game on the same day. Opening-week schedules can spread games across several days. International games may also start at a different local time or fall on a different calendar date for viewers at home.
The words “season starts” can refer to different events, too. A team may begin training camp well before its first exhibition game. The first exhibition game comes before the first regular-season contest, and the postseason begins only after the regular schedule ends. When asking for a date, specify which milestone you mean.
Television scheduling is another reason exact kickoff times may be announced separately from the broader season calendar. Some games are assigned to particular broadcast windows, and selected start times can be adjusted. A schedule posted months ahead is a strong guide, but checking the game listing closer to kickoff helps avoid relying on an outdated time.
Does “football” mean NFL, college football, or soccer?
In U.S. searches, “football” often means American football, and many people are asking about the NFL. But the word can refer to more than one sport. The location, team, and competition are clues, but they do not always settle the question.
| If you mean… | Usual season pattern | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | Preseason in August; regular season begins in early September | NFL schedule for the season year |
| College football | Games begin in late August, with many opening over Labor Day weekend | School, conference, or college football schedule |
| High school football | Often begins in August or early September | Local school and state association calendar |
| Major League Soccer | Generally begins early in the calendar year | MLS schedule for the current season |
| European soccer leagues | Many begin in summer and play through spring | The specific league’s season calendar |
These are broad timing patterns, not guaranteed dates. Cup competitions, international breaks, weather, and league decisions can affect individual fixtures. For soccer, a club’s first match may be a friendly or cup match rather than its first league fixture, so check the competition name in the listing.
What to know before the first game
Look beyond the date
Once you find the opener, check the listed venue, kickoff time, and broadcast information. A date alone does not tell you whether the game starts in the afternoon or evening, or which service carries it. If you are attending in person, confirm the stadium’s entry guidance and travel details as well.
Separate team schedules from league schedules
A league-wide opening night is not necessarily your team’s first game. A team could play later in the opening week, or its first matchup could be scheduled for a different day. Follow the team’s individual schedule when planning around a specific club or school.
Be careful with old schedules
Search results, calendar apps, and fan pages can keep a previous season’s dates visible. Check that the year appears on the schedule and that the game has not been labeled as a replay, archive, or preseason event. This simple check prevents a common mix-up: treating a past opener as the next one.
Know what a bye week means
During the NFL regular season, each team has a bye week, which is a scheduled week without a game. A bye does not mean that the league season has paused. It only means that team is off that week, so its next game may come later than another team’s.
Common questions about football’s return
Does football start in August or September?
Both answers can be right. NFL training camps and preseason games take place in summer, with preseason games generally in August. The regular season usually begins in early September. College football often starts in late August.
When does the NFL regular season begin?
The NFL regular season usually begins in early September. The 2025 season opened on September 4. For another season, use that year’s announced schedule rather than assuming the same date.
When does college football start?
College football usually starts in late August. Some teams play before the main opening weekend, so the first game for a particular school may differ from the first game on the national schedule.
Are preseason games real games?
They are played games, but they are exhibitions and do not count in the regular-season standings. The NFL regular season is the point at which results count toward a team’s record and playoff position.
Does football start at the same time every year?
No. The general seasonal pattern is similar, but the exact date, kickoff time, and matchup can change. The answer also depends on whether you mean the NFL, college football, high school football, or soccer.
For the NFL, football usually returns with August preseason games and an early-September regular-season kickoff. College football commonly starts in late August, while soccer and local school schedules follow their own calendars.
To get the date that applies to you, choose the league and season, then check its official schedule for the first regular-season game. Confirm the time and venue near game day, especially if you are planning to watch or attend.