So, you’re ready for the pads to pop and the tailgates to start. Honestly, it feels like the off-season lasts forever, doesn't it? But the NFL season start 2025 is actually closer than your brain probably realizes, and the league is doing things a bit differently this time around.
The party officially kicks off on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
If you were expecting the usual "Super Bowl winner hosts a random AFC powerhouse" vibe, you’re half right. The Philadelphia Eagles, our reigning champs, are indeed hosting. But they aren't playing some out-of-conference foe. They’re hosting the Dallas Cowboys. At home. In Philly. On a Thursday night.
Talk about a localized earthquake to start the year.
The Schedule Shakeup You Didn't See Coming
The NFL is basically addicted to expansion at this point. We’ve gone from "one game in London" to a full-blown world tour. If you're trying to track the NFL season start 2025, you have to look past the US borders almost immediately.
Just one day after that Eagles-Cowboys bloodbath, the Kansas City Chiefs travel to São Paulo, Brazil. They'll be taking on the Los Angeles Chargers at Corinthians Arena. That’s a Friday night game, which is still a weird concept for NFL purists, and it’s streaming exclusively on YouTube.
The league is also hitting Dublin, Ireland, for the first time in the regular season. The Minnesota Vikings—who seem to be the league's unofficial European ambassadors this year—will face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Week 4.
Key Dates for the 2025-2026 Calendar
- July 31, 2025: The Hall of Fame Game (Detroit Lions vs. LA Chargers). This is the "fake" start where we all get excited for three drives of starters before the backups take over.
- September 4, 2025: The real deal. Cowboys at Eagles. 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
- September 5, 2025: Brazil Game. Chiefs vs. Chargers.
- November 27, 2025: Thanksgiving Day triple-header, featuring Mahomes' first-ever Thanksgiving start in Dallas.
- January 4, 2026: The regular season wraps up with 16 divisional matchups.
- February 8, 2026: Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
New Rules: Less "Chains," More Lasers?
Every year, the competition committee messes with something, and 2025 is no different. You’ve probably seen the "tush push" debates—well, the Packers tried to ban it, but the league basically said, "not today." It’s still legal for now.
What is changing is how we measure first downs. The NFL is finally leaning into the 21st century by using optical tracking (essentially high-tech lasers) to measure for first downs. This basically means we might see the end of the "chain gang" coming onto the field to measure a ball's spot with a literal piece of metal and string. They’ll still be on the sidelines for visual reference, but the decisions are going digital.
They also tweaked the kickoff—again. The "dynamic kickoff" from 2024 is now permanent, but they moved the touchback spot to the 35-yard line if the ball is kicked into the end zone. The goal? Force more returns. The NFL wants more highlights, not more commercials.
Why This Season Feels Different
Kinda feels like the league is in a transition phase. We’ve got the old guard like Matthew Stafford (who’s going to be 38 by the end of this run) and then the absolute influx of "kid" quarterbacks.
Caleb Williams in Chicago is under immense pressure with a new coach in Ben Johnson. Drake Maye is trying to resurrect the Patriots. And then you have the Vikings, who are betting the house on J.J. McCarthy while Sam Darnold lurks in the background. It’s a lot of moving parts.
The International Itinerary
If you're a frequent flyer or just like waking up at 9:30 a.m. to watch football with your coffee, here is where the league is heading:
- London (Tottenham): Vikings vs. Browns (Oct 5) and Broncos vs. Jets (Oct 12).
- London (Wembley): Rams vs. Jaguars (Oct 19).
- Berlin: Falcons vs. Colts (Nov 9).
- Madrid: Commanders vs. Dolphins (Nov 16).
That Madrid game at the Bernabéu is going to be insane. Seeing the Dolphins' speed on a pitch usually reserved for Real Madrid is the kind of crossover nobody saw coming five years ago.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Opener
There’s this misconception that the Super Bowl winner always plays a "safe" game to start. Not this time. Putting the Cowboys in Philly for the NFL season start 2025 is a massive gamble on ratings and player health right out of the gate.
Also, don't sleep on the "Black Friday" game. It’s becoming a tradition. On November 28, the Eagles host the Bears. It’s basically the NFL’s way of saying, "Sorry, retailers, we own this day too."
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the NFL season start 2025, don't just wait for September.
First, check your streaming subscriptions. With the Brazil game on YouTube and the Black Friday game on Prime Video, the old-school cable package won't cut it anymore.
Second, if you're planning on attending an international game, the ticket lottery usually happens months in advance. Keep an eye on the NFL International site by late spring.
Lastly, watch the preseason "K-Ball" changes. The league is allowing teams to prep their kicking balls differently this year, which sounds boring until a kicker nails a 65-yarder in Week 1 because the ball finally feels "right."
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Get your jersey ready. September will be here before you can even finish your mock drafts.
Next Steps for You:
- Map out which streaming services you'll need for the 2025 exclusive games.
- Sync the International Series dates to your calendar to avoid 9:00 a.m. surprises.
- Follow the preseason injury reports specifically for teams with new offensive coordinators, like the Bears and Jaguars.