If you mean American football in the United States, the season usually starts at different times by level: high school and college games begin in late summer, while NFL regular-season games typically start in early September. Preseason games begin earlier.
The exact date depends on the league, school, and year, so there is no single kickoff date for all football. Here’s when each level usually starts, how to find a specific team’s schedule, and why the first game you see may not count toward the standings. If you mean soccer, its season calendar is different, too.
When will football start in the United States?
For American football, expect the first games of the season in late summer. College football and high school football often begin in August, and the NFL preseason usually takes place in August. The NFL regular season generally begins in early September.
Those are useful planning windows, not guaranteed dates. Leagues publish a new schedule each year, and school or state rules can affect the first high school game. The NFL also spreads its opening games across several days, so a team’s first kickoff may not be on the league’s first game day.
If you are asking about a particular game, check the schedule for that league and team. If you only need a general answer, late August is a good time to look for the first college and high school games, while early September is the usual start of NFL regular-season play.
Typical start times by football league and level
Football does not start everywhere on the same date. The table shows the usual U.S. calendar. Treat the ranges as a guide; a season’s published schedule is the source for exact dates and kickoff times.
| Level or league | Usual start window | What the first games mean | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| High school | August to early September | First regular-season games; timing varies by state and school | Finding local games and school schedules |
| College football | Late August to early September | Regular-season games, sometimes with a small number of early matchups | Following a college team or conference |
| NFL preseason | August | Exhibition games that do not count in regular-season standings | Seeing players and teams before the standings begin |
| NFL regular season | Early September | Games count toward the regular-season record | Following the main professional season |
| Canadian Football League | Usually June | Its schedule follows a different calendar from the U.S. leagues | Watching Canadian professional football |
High school dates are especially local. One state may start its games before another, and individual schools can have different opening nights. College football dates also vary by team, conference, and annual schedule.
Canadian football is included because people sometimes use “football” without specifying a country. The CFL typically begins its regular season in June, rather than following the late-summer U.S. start. Association football, commonly called soccer in the United States, has its own league-by-league calendar.
Why the NFL has a preseason and a regular-season start
The NFL calendar has more than one kind of start. Training camp and preseason come before the regular season, and each serves a different purpose. That is why a headline about the first NFL game may refer to a date before the games that count in the standings.
Training camp comes first
Training camp is the team’s organized preparation before the regular season. Players practice, coaches evaluate the roster, and teams prepare for exhibition games. Its start date is not the start of the NFL season for standings purposes, and camp dates differ among teams.
Preseason games are exhibitions
NFL preseason games are played before the regular season. Teams use them to assess players and prepare, but the results do not add wins or losses to the regular-season standings. Preseason is generally held in August, though the exact schedule and number of games can vary.
Regular-season games count
The regular season is the part most fans mean when they ask when the NFL starts. It usually opens in early September, with each team’s first regular-season game shown on the league schedule. The league’s opening game is not necessarily every team’s first game; teams play on different days and weeks.
Common mix-up: the first televised NFL game of the year is not always the first regular-season game. Look for the schedule label, such as “preseason” or “regular season,” before you plan around a date.
When do college football games begin?
College football usually starts in late August or early September. Some seasons include a limited number of games before the main opening weekend, while many teams begin on the same widely promoted weekend. The date of a team’s first game depends on its schedule, not just the start of the college football season overall.
To check a college team, use its official athletics schedule or the schedule published by its conference. Search for the team’s name plus “football schedule,” then confirm the listed date, kickoff time, and time zone. TV listings and kickoff times can change, so check again close to game day.
College schedules may also include a bye week, when a team does not play. A team’s first game can therefore fall on a different date from its conference rivals. Some teams play a neutral-site game, which means the game takes place at a venue that is not either team’s home stadium.
When does high school football start?
High school football commonly starts in August or early September, but there is no single national opening date. State athletic associations set rules for their member schools, and local calendars determine when teams can practice and play. The first game may differ between neighboring school districts.
For an accurate local date, check the school’s athletics page, its district calendar, or the state high school athletic association’s schedule. A school’s social media account can help with updates, but the official schedule is the better reference when dates or venues change.
Also confirm whether the listing is for varsity, junior varsity, or freshman football. These levels may play on different days or have different schedules. If you are going to a game, verify the venue and start time, since “game day” does not always mean the same kickoff time for every level.
How to find the exact date for your team
Use this quick process to avoid confusing a league-wide opening date with the date you need:
- Choose the sport and league. Decide whether you mean NFL, college, high school, the CFL, or soccer. “Football” can refer to different sports in different places.
- Search for the team’s official schedule. Use the team’s name and “football schedule.” For a school, use its athletics page or district site.
- Check what kind of game it is. Confirm whether the listing says preseason, regular season, exhibition, or scrimmage. These labels tell you whether the result counts in the standings.
- Confirm the date and time zone. A game shown in a different time zone can appear to start on another date where you live. Use the time listed by the official team or league.
- Recheck before making plans. Kickoff times, broadcast details, and venues can be updated. Look for a recent official notice if you are traveling or buying tickets.
For an NFL team, the league schedule and the team’s official site are useful places to confirm the first regular-season game. For college teams, check both the school’s schedule and its conference page if you need to verify a date. For high school games, local school and state association calendars are usually the most relevant.
Does football start on the same date every year?
No. The general season pattern is fairly consistent, but the exact date changes from year to year. The NFL regular season usually opens in early September, yet the opening game falls on a different calendar date each season. College and high school schedules can also shift with the calendar and local rules.
It helps to separate a season’s usual start window from its exact opening date. A month or week range is useful for planning, but it cannot tell you when a particular team plays. For that, look up the schedule for the season you mean.
Another detail people miss: a league can begin playing before every team has played its first game. The first game on the calendar marks the start of the league’s schedule, not necessarily the start date for each team.
What if you mean soccer by football?
Outside the United States, “football” often means association football, called soccer in the U.S. Soccer does not have one worldwide start date. Domestic leagues choose their own calendars, and international competitions follow separate schedules.
Many European domestic leagues begin in August and finish the following spring, but the exact dates differ by country and season. In other parts of the world, leagues may use a calendar-year schedule or arrange their season around local weather and competition requirements. Major international tournaments have their own dates as well.
For a soccer club, check the official league or club fixture list. For a national team or tournament, use the competition organizer’s schedule. Be sure you are looking at the right season and time zone; an international match can be listed on a different local date depending on where it is played.
What can change a football start date?
Several factors can move a game or change when a team begins playing. A schedule is planned in advance, but the event itself may be adjusted. Check for updates if you are relying on an exact date.
- League scheduling: Leagues set their own opening dates and spread games across a weekend or several days.
- Local rules: State or school policies affect the high school calendar and may set limits on when practices and games can begin.
- Broadcast plans: Television scheduling can affect kickoff times and, in some cases, the day a game is played.
- Venue or travel issues: Weather, field conditions, or other logistical problems can lead to a venue change or postponement.
- Competition format: A tournament, international game, or special event may not follow the ordinary league calendar.
For a fan, the practical lesson is simple: use general dates to know when to start looking, then rely on the official team or league schedule for plans. A search result or old calendar may show a previous season, so make sure the page names the season you intend to follow.
Quick answer: when should you start checking?
If you follow the NFL, start looking for the regular-season schedule and opening game in early September, and expect preseason games in August. For college football, begin checking in late summer, especially for games in late August and early September. For local high school football, check the school calendar in August because the date depends on your area.
If the question concerns soccer, a Canadian league, or another country’s competition, identify the specific league first. Its calendar may not match U.S. American football. Once you know the league and season, the official schedule gives you the precise answer.
For U.S. American football, games generally begin in late summer: high school and college often start in August, NFL preseason is usually in August, and NFL regular-season play typically opens in early September. The exact date depends on the team and league.
To answer “when will football start” for a game you plan to watch, check that team’s official schedule and confirm whether the listing is preseason or regular season. If you mean soccer or another country’s football, check that competition’s calendar instead.