When football start back depends on the league: NFL regular-season games usually begin in early September, while college football can start in late August. High school schedules vary by state and school district.
There is no single return date for every team. This guide explains the usual season windows, what happens during the offseason, and how to find the first game for a specific team. It also separates American football schedules from soccer, which many countries call football and which follows a different calendar.
When football start back depends on the league
For most fans in the United States, the answer is late August or early September. College teams may play in late August, and the NFL regular season typically opens in early September. High school football often starts in August or September, depending on local rules and the school calendar.
Those are general windows, not fixed annual dates. League schedules change from year to year, and teams do not all play on the same opening weekend. A preseason game, a college kickoff event, and an NFL regular-season opener are also different things, even though each may be advertised as football returning.
If you mean a particular team, use its official schedule rather than relying on a broad season estimate. The team’s first listed game may be an exhibition or preseason contest, while the first game that counts toward its standings comes later.
Typical start and end dates by competition
American football does not have one shared calendar. The table gives a useful seasonal guide, but the exact opening and final games depend on the competition and the year.
| Competition | Usual start | Usual finish | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL preseason | August | Late August | Fans looking for the first professional games back |
| NFL regular season | Early September | January | Fans tracking games that count in the standings |
| NFL playoffs | January | February | Fans following the postseason and championship |
| College football | Late August or early September | December or January | Fans following schools, conferences, and bowl games |
| High school football | Often August or September | Usually late fall | Fans following a local school or district |
| Canadian football | Usually early summer | Late fall | Fans following the CFL calendar |
The NFL and college seasons overlap through the fall, but their schedules and postseason formats are separate. Canadian football also uses a different calendar, so an answer based on the NFL may not fit a Canadian team.
When the NFL season usually returns
The NFL has several possible “first game” dates. Preseason games begin in August, followed by the regular season, which generally starts in early September. Regular-season games continue through the fall and into January, with playoff games afterward.
Preseason games are exhibition contests. Teams use them to evaluate players and prepare for the regular season. Starters may play for limited stretches, and playing time varies by team and coach. A preseason result does not count toward a team’s regular-season record.
The regular-season opener is the first game that counts in the standings. Most teams begin their schedule on the opening weekend, but the league usually stages an opening game before the full slate of Sunday matchups. The schedule also includes weekly games on different days, so a team’s first game may not be on the day its fans expect.
The regular season typically runs into January. Teams that qualify then play in the postseason, which usually continues into February and ends with the Super Bowl. The date and participating teams change annually, so use the current league schedule for exact dates.
When college football starts
College football often begins slightly before the NFL regular season. Some teams play in late August, while many open in early September. The schedule is set by each school and its conference, so opening weekend can include games on several different dates.
College schedules are not identical from one school to another. Teams may start with a nonconference opponent, a conference rival, or a special kickoff event. A school’s first game can therefore come before or after the broader national opening weekend.
The regular season usually continues through November. Conference championship games follow for many leagues, and postseason bowl games take place in December and January. The top teams may qualify for the national championship playoff, whose format and dates are set for each season.
To find a college team’s actual return date, check the school’s athletics schedule. Confirm whether the listed event is a regular-season game, a scrimmage, or another team activity. Public spring practices and preseason practices are not the same as official games.
Why high school football dates vary
High school football has no national opening day. State athletic associations, local districts, and individual schools set their calendars. Many teams start games in August or September, but the date depends on local rules, school opening dates, weather, and the number of scheduled games.
Some states limit the number of practices or require a preseason acclimation period before full-contact training. That can affect when teams are allowed to hold games. Regional playoffs also follow state-specific timelines, so one school’s season may finish earlier than another’s.
For a reliable answer, check the school’s athletics page or the state association’s schedule. Look for the varsity team and the correct season. Freshman, junior varsity, and varsity teams can have different opening dates and kickoff times.
What happens during the football offseason
The offseason is the period between a team’s competitive seasons, but it does not mean every player or team stops working. Professional teams have organized activities at different points in the spring and summer. College teams also have offseason training, spring practices, and a later preseason camp.
These activities do not usually count as official games. Practices are generally closed to the public or limited to specific events, while a spring game may be open to fans. A spring game is a scrimmage: it lets coaches assess players, but it does not affect the team’s win-loss record.
Professional football also has roster changes, draft-related events, and training camp before the regular season. Those events can make the sport visible again well before kickoff. If you are waiting for meaningful games, make sure the date you see is for the regular season rather than an offseason event or exhibition.
How to find the first game for your team
Use this quick process to avoid mixing up a league’s opening date with your team’s actual kickoff.
- Name the competition. Decide whether you mean the NFL, college football, high school, Canadian football, or another league. The season windows differ.
- Open the official team schedule. The team or school site is usually the clearest source for opponents, dates, venues, and kickoff times.
- Identify the type of event. Check whether the first listing says preseason, exhibition, scrimmage, or regular season. Only the regular-season game counts in league standings.
- Confirm the year and time zone. Search results can show an old schedule, and kickoff times may be displayed in a different time zone from yours.
- Check again close to game day. Broadcast details and kickoff times can change. Weather, venue issues, or league decisions may also affect a schedule.
For a quick search, include the team name, the season year, and the words “official schedule.” If you are checking a school, add the level, such as varsity or junior varsity. This simple detail prevents a common mistake: finding the right school but the wrong team schedule.
Why the dates change from year to year
Most leagues keep a familiar seasonal pattern, but the exact dates depend on the calendar and the competition’s scheduling decisions. A season may begin on a different weekday from the previous one. Holidays, stadium availability, television plans, travel needs, and postseason arrangements all influence the final schedule.
College schedules can be set years ahead, but kickoff times may be announced later. A game’s date can be known before its start time is confirmed. NFL game times are also distributed across multiple days, and some late-season games may be moved to preserve competitive balance.
That is why a general answer such as “football starts in September” is useful for planning, but not enough to plan a trip or buy tickets. Verify the specific date, location, and kickoff time through the team or league before making arrangements.
American football or soccer?
The word “football” can refer to different sports. In the United States, many people mean American football. In much of the rest of the world, football usually means soccer. Soccer leagues have their own schedules, which can run from late summer into spring, follow a calendar-year format, or pause for international competitions.
If you are asking about a soccer club, search for that club’s competition and season rather than using an NFL or college football calendar. A national league, cup competition, and international tournament can all have separate start dates.
Canadian football is another distinct competition. The Canadian Football League typically plays its regular season during the summer and fall, earlier in the year than the NFL’s regular-season schedule. Check the league and team schedule to confirm the exact opening game.
Common mistakes when looking up football’s return
- Treating preseason as opening day: It is the first game action for many NFL teams, but those contests do not count in the standings.
- Assuming every team starts together: Leagues have opening weekends, but individual teams can play on different dates and days.
- Using last year’s schedule: Search engines and shared calendar pages may retain older results. Confirm the season year.
- Mixing up football codes: NFL, college, Canadian football, and soccer have different calendars.
- Confusing practice with a game: Training camp, spring practice, and scrimmages are not regular-season games.
A useful planning tip: Save the official team schedule to your phone calendar, then check for updates before travel or watch parties. A saved listing is convenient, but it may not refresh automatically if a game time changes.
What to check before planning around opening day
Once you find the first game, make sure the listing answers more than just the date. Confirm the venue, kickoff time, time zone, broadcast or streaming information, and whether the game is home or away. These details matter if you are arranging travel or coordinating a group viewing.
For tickets, rely on the team, venue, or an authorized ticket seller. Do not assume a preseason ticket means the same experience as a regular-season game. Teams may rest key players, and the atmosphere and competitive stakes can differ.
If you are following a full season, check the schedule for bye weeks, postseason qualification rules, and dates that are still subject to change. A bye week is a scheduled week off for a team. It does not mean the league season has ended.
When football start back depends on which competition you follow. NFL regular-season games usually return in early September, college football may begin in late August, and high school dates depend on local schedules.
Choose the league and team first, then confirm the current season’s official schedule and whether the first listing is preseason or regular season. That gives you the right kickoff date, not just a general estimate.