NFL Schedule Release for 2025-26 Season: When Does Football Season Start?
The full NFL schedule release is now hours away, and we're looking ahead to the 2025-26 NFL schedule and key dates as we await the full schedule.
We already know the Dallas Cowboys will visit the Philadelphia Eagles for the season opener on Thursday, Sept. 4 (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). We're tracking that and the rest of the confirmed matchups in our NFL schedule tracker.
The Eagles opened as 7-point favorites to beat the Cowboys to kick off Week 1, and they remain the betting favorites by the Super Bowl odds ahead of the full schedule release.
🏈 When will the 2025-26 NFL schedule be released?
The NFL schedule will be released on Wednesday, May 14, at 8 p.m. ET. The schedule release will be televised live on NFL Network and ESPN2.
The international slate will be revealed on Tuesday on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football," while other select matchups were released Monday - including Broncos vs. Chiefs on Christmas Day. More matchups will be shared Tuesday via "Good Morning America" and Wednesday via CBS and Netflix.
While this year's schedule release is more heavily promoted than ever before, the schedule is annually released in mid-May and serves as the first look for all 32 fan bases at when they'll face their division rivals, how to schedule their holiday plans, and when their team will enjoy their bye week.
⏳ When does football season start 2025-26?
The 2025 NFL regular season will begin on Thursday, Sept. 4, with the Eagles hosting the Cowboys as 7-point favorites.
The first Sunday of the 2025 NFL season is scheduled for Sept. 7, while the Monday Night Football season opener will be on Sept. 8.
📅 NFL offseason key dates & deadlines
Here's an updated look of the full NFL offseason key dates and deadlines as we await the NFL schedule release:
- May 2-5 or May 9-12: Rookie minicamps
- May 14: Schedule release (8 PM ET)
- July 15: Deadline to sign extension for franchise tag players
- Mid-July: Training camps
💪 When are NFL training camps?
Teams will announce their specific training camp schedules as we get into the summer, though we can expect all training camps to begin sometime in mid-July. Last year, the NFL announced training camp dates on June 18, and they were all scheduled to begin between July 13 and July 24.
📋 When does NFL preseason start 2025-26?
The NFL preseason will kick off July 31 at 8 p.m. ET with the Los Angeles and Detroit Lions facing off for the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The rest of the preseason will begin on Thursday, Aug. 7, and extend for three weeks before a one-week break ahead of Week 1.
🦃 When are NFL Thanksgiving games?
The annual NFL Thanksgiving games will take place on Thursday, Nov. 27, and will likely feature three games - two of which will include the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, who traditionally play every year on the holiday.
🎄 When are NFL Christmas games?
The annual NFL Christmas games will take place on Thursday, Dec. 25. This year's slate will feature three games ending with Broncos vs. Chiefs at 8:15 p.m. ET. Kansas City opened as a 4.5-point favorite to win again on Christmas Day.
🆚 When do the 2025-26 NFL playoffs start?
The 2025-26 NFL playoffs will start on Saturday, Jan. 10, with the wild-card round likely lasting through Monday, Jan. 12. That will come before the NFL Divisional Round on Jan. 18-19 and the NFL Conference Championships on Sunday, Jan. 26.
🏆 When is the 2026 Super Bowl?
The 2026 Super Bowl is on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. We don't know the Super Bowl 60 matchup yet, though the Eagles and Ravens are the betting favorites to win the NFC and AFC, respectively.
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 8
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)
- TV: NBC
❓ 2025-26 NFL schedule FAQs
📅 When does the 2025-26 season start?
The 2025 NFL season will start on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. The Eagles will likely host the NFL kickoff game on that Thursday night.
📅 When do the 2025-26 NFL playoffs start?
The 2025-26 NFL playoffs will start with the wild-card round on Saturday, Jan. 10.
📅 When is the 2026 Super Bowl?
The 2026 Super Bowl is on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
💵 Best NFL betting sites
Ready to bet on the NFL this season? Check out our best NFL betting sites and the best sportsbook promos for the 2025-26 NFL season:
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