It's funny how we do this every single year. The confetti from the previous Super Bowl hasn't even been swept off the turf at Levi’s Stadium before we start asking the same question: when will nfl start again?
Football is the only sport that feels like a year-round commitment even when there aren't any games. Honestly, the "offseason" is a bit of a myth. Between the scouting combine in Indy, the free agency frenzy in March, and the draft in Pittsburgh this April, the league keeps us on a short leash. But for those of us who just want to see a kickoff that actually matters, the wait is always the hardest part.
The 2026 season is going to be a weirdly historic one. We’re looking at an 18-week marathon that pushes the Super Bowl deeper into February than ever before. If you're trying to plan your life, your weddings, or your vacations around the gridiron, you've come to the right place.
The Big Reveal: When Will NFL Start?
The short answer? Thursday, September 10, 2026. That’s the official kickoff. Usually, the defending Super Bowl champions host this game. Since we’re currently in the middle of the 2025-2026 playoffs, we don't know who will be raising that banner yet, but whoever it is, they’ll be the ones under the lights on that Thursday night.
A Breakdown of the 2026 Timeline
If you're a "calendar person," here is how the lead-up generally looks. Don't expect the league to stray from this formula—they love their tradition (and their TV ratings).
- Hall of Fame Game: July 30, 2026 (Canton, Ohio)
- Preseason Week 1: August 6–10, 2026
- The Regular Season Kickoff: September 10, 2026
- The First Full Sunday: September 13, 2026
It’s worth noting that the NFL likes to keep us guessing on the specific matchups until May. According to historical trends and the way the league office operates, the actual 2026 schedule release will likely happen on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. That's when we'll know if the Thanksgiving games are going to be worth staying awake for after all that turkey.
Why 2026 Feels a Little Different
This isn't just another year of football. We have some major shifts happening. First off, the NFL is obsessed with going global. We already know the Los Angeles Rams are heading to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. That’s a massive flight and a massive time difference. If you're wondering when the NFL will start for the Aussies, they're looking at a 2026 date that will likely be a logistical nightmare for the equipment managers.
Then there's the retirements. We’re seeing some legends officially hang it up. Philip Rivers—who seemingly has been retired for years but kept the door cracked—is finally heading back to high school coaching for good. Xavien Howard is out. The league is getting younger, faster, and maybe a bit more unpredictable.
The 17-Game Grind
Remember when 16 games felt like a lot? Those days are gone. Each team is playing 17 games over 18 weeks. This means the regular season won't actually end until January 10, 2027.
Think about that. We’ll be halfway through the first month of the new year before we even hit the Wild Card round.
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Key Matchups We Already Know
Even without the official times, we know who is playing whom because of the NFL's rotation formula.
The AFC East is set to clash with the AFC West. That means we’re getting Josh Allen versus whatever the Raiders have cooked up after their disastrous 2025. It also means Bo Nix and the Broncos will be heading into Foxborough to face the Patriots.
Over in the NFC, the North and South divisions are paired up. Watching the Lions (who finally look like a real football team) take on the Falcons or the Panthers is going to be interesting, especially since the NFC South has been such a toss-up lately.
What People Get Wrong About the Start Date
Most fans think the "start" of the NFL is when the first game kicks off. Sorta.
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But if you’re a betting man or a fantasy football degenerate, the season starts way earlier. Training camps usually open in mid-July. That’s when the real news starts trickling out—who’s out of shape, who’s looking like a breakout star, and which rookie is already causing headaches for the coaching staff.
If you wait until September 10 to start paying attention, you've already lost.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
- Block out May 13: That’s your schedule release day. If you want to travel for a game, book your hotels the second the dates drop. Prices spike within hours.
- Monitor the Australian Game: If you’re a Rams fan, start looking into the Melbourne logistics now. It’s the first-ever regular-season game in Australia, and tickets will be a nightmare to get.
- Fantasy Draft Timing: Plan your drafts for the weekend of August 29–30. This is after the final preseason games when most major injuries have already happened (hopefully).
- Update Your Streaming: With the NFL's ever-changing deals with Netflix, Amazon, and Peacock, check your subscriptions in August. Nothing is worse than scrambling for a password ten minutes before kickoff.
The wait for the when will nfl start countdown is officially on. September 10, 2026, will be here before you know it, but there’s a whole lot of drama to get through before that first coin flip. Keep an eye on the Pittsburgh draft in April; that's where the 2026 season truly begins to take shape.