In contrast to your treasured TV dramas, the NFL doesn’t go in for cliffhangers. While Tinseltown continues to grapple with the aftermath of the writer’s strike from years past, the NFL faces no such dilemma, standing tall as the ultimate reality show that never fails to deliver season after season. Viewership numbers soar, and the league’s coffers overflow with more cash than they can possibly handle.
As we count down to the kickoff of the 2024 season, it’s only natural to speculate on when we’ll witness the 32 teams back in action once more. But for now, it’s a whirlwind of March Madness, UFL’s spectacle, followed by the NBA and NHL guiding us through the spring, with MLB taking us into the depths of summer.
In the meantime, the football realm will be abuzz with free agency, the draft, and the commencement of training camp before the preseason festivities kick in during the sultry days of summer. So, there’s a bit of a wait before the commencement of the 106th season. But fear not, there’s ample time to marathon-watch season 105. Here’s the scoop on the return of the NFL in 2025.
When is the start of the 2025 NFL regular season?
The 2025 NFL regular season is slated to kick off on Thursday, September 4. Traditionally, the reigning Super Bowl champions host the season opener on Thursday night post-Labor Day, with the rest of the teams engaging in battles over the weekend.
In 2024, the league spiced things up by having the Philadelphia Eagles square off against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil on a Friday in Week 1. This resulted in NFL games being played on Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday during the opening week.
It’s uncertain whether the league will stick to a similar schedule or introduce new twists, but the NFL has seemingly made it a mission to dominate every day of the week in recent times. Following the absence of Tuesday games in 2024, we’ll have to wait and watch what surprises await in 2025.
When will the 2025 NFL schedule be released?
Traditionally, the NFL schedule is unveiled during the spring. While an exact date is yet to be confirmed, it is typically announced in May, allowing for some clarity on team rosters following the draft and free agency frenzy.
This article was originally featured on USA TODAY: When does the 2025 NFL regular season start? Week 1, schedule release
