For most regular-season games, what time does thursday night football kickoff? The scheduled kickoff is usually 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time.
The exact date and time can vary, and the pregame show starts well before kickoff. Your local start time also depends on your time zone.
Here’s how to convert the usual kickoff time, distinguish game time from broadcast coverage, check a specific matchup, and find the right viewing option. You’ll also see why Thanksgiving and other Thursday games may start at different times, so you can avoid tuning in late or planning around the wrong schedule.
what time does thursday night football kickoff?
Most games in the NFL’s regular-season Thursday Night Football package are scheduled to kick off at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time. That is the listed game time, not the time the broadcast begins. Pregame coverage typically starts earlier, so you can tune in ahead of the opening kickoff for analysis and team updates.
Use 8:15 p.m. ET as a helpful general guide, not a guarantee for every Thursday game. The NFL schedule sets each game’s date and start time, and special Thursday matchups can use different times. Always check the listing for the specific game you plan to watch.
In the United States, most regular Thursday Night Football games are streamed nationally on Prime Video. Local viewing options can also be available in the markets of the teams playing. The schedule listing will identify the current broadcast and streaming details.
Thursday Night Football kickoff times by U.S. time zone
For a standard 8:15 p.m. Eastern kickoff, the corresponding local times are below. These conversions apply across the continental United States because the time zones change clocks on the same general schedule.
| Time zone | Usual local kickoff | Planning tip |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 8:15 p.m. | Use this as the listed reference time. |
| Central | 7:15 p.m. | Set a reminder before the evening gets busy. |
| Mountain | 6:15 p.m. | Check the date if you are traveling or changing time zones. |
| Pacific | 5:15 p.m. | Coverage may begin during the late afternoon. |
These are conversions for the usual kickoff, not separate start times announced for each region. If the game is scheduled earlier or later than 8:15 p.m. ET, convert the actual listed time instead. A game at 8:20 p.m. ET, for example, will also begin five minutes later in each time zone shown.
One easy mistake is reading a schedule in the wrong time zone. Sports apps and calendars may display times in your device’s local zone, while a TV listing may show Eastern Time. Look for the zone label, then confirm that your phone or calendar has the correct location and time-zone settings.
Kickoff time is not the same as broadcast start time
A game listing’s kickoff time tells you when play is scheduled to begin. The TV or streaming broadcast can start earlier with pregame coverage. That earlier start gives you time for previews, injury news, interviews, and analysis, but it does not mean the game itself starts then.
For a typical 8:15 p.m. ET matchup, check the program guide for the full coverage window. The exact pregame schedule can differ by week or service, so avoid assuming that every broadcast begins at the same early hour. If you only want the game, use the listed kickoff; if you want the build-up, tune in when the program listing begins.
Kickoff can also occur a few minutes after the scheduled time. Presentations, introductions, and other pregame events can affect the exact moment the ball is kicked. A scheduled start is the best planning reference, but it is not a promise that the first play will happen at precisely that second.
How to check the time for a specific game
For a reliable answer, look up the actual matchup rather than relying only on the usual Thursday start. The schedule tells you the date, listed kickoff, teams, and viewing information. Follow these steps:
- Find the matchup and date. Confirm that you have the correct week and both teams. A Thursday game can fall on a holiday or be scheduled outside the usual weekly pattern.
- Read the time-zone label. If the listing shows ET, convert it to your local time. If it already shows local time, do not convert it a second time.
- Check the program listing. Separate the pregame show’s start from the scheduled kickoff. Choose the earlier time if you want the full broadcast.
- Confirm where it is available. Check the current listing for the streaming service, local channel, or other permitted viewing option in your area.
- Recheck on game day. Schedule changes are uncommon, but an updated listing is more useful than an old search result or saved reminder.
The NFL’s official schedule and the broadcaster’s program guide are useful sources to compare. A search result can be convenient, but snippets may show an outdated season or a time in a different zone. Check the date and time label before making plans.
Where to watch a Thursday night game
For most regular-season games in the Thursday Night Football package, Prime Video is the national streaming home in the United States. Check the game’s current listing for access requirements and availability. Some Thursday matchups may be part of a different broadcast package, so do not assume every NFL game played on Thursday is carried the same way.
| Viewing option | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Video | National streaming coverage for most games in the Thursday Night Football package. | Viewers who want the main national stream. |
| Local over-the-air TV | A local station may carry the game in the home markets of the teams playing. | Local fans who can receive the relevant station. |
| Other listed broadcaster or service | Special Thursday games may use a different channel or streaming arrangement. | Viewers checking a holiday or nonstandard matchup. |
Availability can depend on the game, your location, and the service’s current terms. If you are traveling, the local channel options may differ from those at home. Check the listing before kickoff rather than assuming that a subscription or channel carries every Thursday game.
If you plan to watch on a television, test the app or channel before the broadcast begins. Sign-in issues, app updates, and connection problems are easier to handle ahead of time than during the opening minutes. For a stream, a stable internet connection matters; for an antenna, confirm that the local station is within reception range.
Why some Thursday games start at a different time
“Thursday Night Football” commonly refers to a particular weekly NFL broadcast package, but it can also be used casually for any NFL game played on a Thursday. Those are not always the same thing. A Thursday game scheduled for a holiday, an opening-week event, or another special occasion may have a different kickoff time and broadcast arrangement.
Thanksgiving is the clearest example. The NFL traditionally schedules multiple games that day, often in afternoon and evening windows rather than at the usual 8:15 p.m. ET time. Those matchups are distinct from the standard weekly Thursday night slot. Check each Thanksgiving game separately; the day of the week alone does not tell you when it starts.
Other exceptions can include special international or season-opening games, schedule adjustments, and games carried under another broadcast agreement. The practical rule is simple: use 8:15 p.m. ET as the normal reference, then verify the specific game. Do not apply one week’s kickoff time to every Thursday on the calendar.
How long does the game usually last?
The kickoff time is predictable enough for planning; the final whistle is not. An NFL game can run for several hours because the clock stops for certain plays, teams use timeouts, and halftime and reviews add breaks. Overtime can extend the broadcast further.
If you need to leave at a fixed time, do not plan around an exact finish. A game that kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET may continue late into the evening, and the time can vary from one matchup to another. Record the game or arrange to watch highlights later if you cannot stay through the end.
The scheduled broadcast window is a useful estimate, but live sports can run beyond a guide’s expected end. This is especially relevant if you are coordinating a ride, catching a late train, or trying to avoid spoilers. Build in extra time rather than assuming the game will end at a fixed hour.
Common mistakes when checking the kickoff
- Confusing the pregame start with kickoff: A broadcast can begin well before the listed game time. Look for the word “kickoff” or the game’s scheduled start.
- Using an old schedule: Search pages may refer to a past season. Verify the year, date, and teams before relying on the time.
- Mixing up local time and Eastern Time: An 8:15 p.m. ET listing is not 8:15 p.m. everywhere. Check the time-zone label.
- Assuming every Thursday game starts at 8:15: Holiday and special games can use other time slots. Look up the individual matchup.
- Assuming every Thursday game has the same broadcaster: The weekly package and a separate Thursday event may have different viewing arrangements.
- Forgetting international date changes: A late U.S. evening kickoff can fall on the following calendar day in another country. Confirm both the local time and date.
International viewers should use a time-zone converter that includes the city where they will watch. Do not convert only the hour: crossing the international date line or moving far enough east can change the calendar date too. This small check prevents a common problem—tuning in a day early or late.
Quick answers about Thursday Night Football start times
Does Thursday Night Football always start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern?
No. Most games in the regular Thursday Night Football package are scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET, but special Thursday games can start at other times. Check the specific game’s current listing.
What time is kickoff in Central Time?
A typical 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff is 7:15 p.m. Central. If the game’s listed Eastern start differs, subtract one hour to get Central Time.
What time is kickoff on the West Coast?
A typical 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff is 5:15 p.m. Pacific. The broadcast may start earlier than that, so check the program guide if you want pregame coverage.
Are Thanksgiving games part of the usual Thursday night slot?
Thanksgiving games are Thursday NFL games, but they often use separate afternoon or evening start times. Check each matchup instead of assuming it follows the standard 8:15 p.m. ET schedule.
Can you watch every Thursday game on Prime Video?
No. Prime Video carries most games in the Thursday Night Football package, but other Thursday matchups can have different broadcast arrangements. Confirm the service or channel shown for the particular game.
Is the scheduled kickoff exact to the minute?
It is the official planning time, but pregame events can push the actual kickoff a little later. Tune in before the listed time if you do not want to miss the start of play.
Most regular-season Thursday Night Football games are scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET, but local times and special matchups vary. Remember that the broadcast may begin before kickoff, and Thanksgiving games often use different time slots.
Before making plans, check the specific game’s date, time zone, and viewing option in a current schedule or program guide. If you want the full coverage, tune in at the broadcast start rather than waiting until kickoff.