You've probably been there. It’s early August, the heat is unbearable, and you’re scrolling through social media just waiting for a highlight that isn’t a training camp "scuffle." You want the real thing. You want the pads popping, the stadium lights, and that specific Sunday afternoon anxiety that only fantasy football can provide.
But if you’re asking when does the NFL start 2025, the answer depends entirely on how you define "start." Most fans circle the first Sunday in their heads, but the machine actually starts humming long before that. Honestly, the 2025 season is already a chaotic masterpiece of scheduling that involves trips to Brazil, Ireland, and a very specific Thursday night in Philadelphia.
The Real Kickoff: September 4, 2025
Let’s get the big one out of the way first. The official 2025 NFL regular season begins on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
By tradition, the defending Super Bowl champions usually host the opener. However, the 2025 kickoff has a bit of a twist. The Philadelphia Eagles are hosting the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. It’s an NFC East bloodbath to start the year. If you’re a fan of either of these teams, your blood pressure is already rising.
This game is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. It’s the official moment when the "wait" ends. But don't blink, because the NFL decided one game wasn't enough for the opening week's spotlight.
The Brazil Friday Night Special
Basically, the NFL is going global in a way we haven't seen before. Just 24 hours after the Philly-Dallas game, the league is heading to São Paulo, Brazil.
On Friday, September 5, 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Los Angeles Chargers at Corinthians Arena. This isn't just a random game; it's a massive statement. It's the first time the NFL has played a Friday night game during the opening week in over 50 years. You'll need a YouTube subscription for this one, as it’s being streamed exclusively on that platform.
When Does the NFL Start 2025 Preseason?
If you’re a degenerate like me and you actually enjoy watching fourth-string quarterbacks try to make a roster, the "start" is actually in July.
The Hall of Fame Game is the true appetizer. It’s scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Canton, Ohio. This year, it’s the Detroit Lions vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Date: July 31
- Venue: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
- Why watch? You probably shouldn't unless you're scouting for deep-league fantasy sleepers. But we all will anyway.
After that, the rest of the preseason rolls through August. Most teams will play three games. The starters might play a series or two in the second week, but for the most part, August is about the "bubble" players.
The International Takeover of 2025
The 2025 schedule is frankly ridiculous when you look at the travel miles. The NFL is essentially trying to conquer the world, and they’ve picked some iconic spots to do it.
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September 28 (Week 4): The Pittsburgh Steelers face the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. This is the first regular-season game ever played in Ireland. They're playing at Croke Park, a venue usually reserved for Gaelic football.
October 5 (Week 5): The Vikings stay across the pond—yes, back-to-back international games—to play the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
October 12 (Week 6): The Denver Broncos take on the New York Jets at Tottenham.
October 19 (Week 7): The Jacksonville Jaguars (London’s unofficial home team) play the Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Stadium.
November 9 (Week 10): The league moves to Germany. The Indianapolis Colts host the Atlanta Falcons at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
November 16 (Week 11): Finally, a historic first in Spain. The Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders will clash at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.
Key Dates You Can't Miss
If you're planning your life—or just your weekends—here’s the breakdown of how the 2025 season flows.
- July 15-20: Training camps open for most teams. This is when the "best shape of his life" tweets start.
- July 31: Hall of Fame Game (Lions vs. Chargers).
- August 26: Final roster cuts. 1,184 players will be looking for jobs by 4:00 p.m. ET.
- September 4: Regular season officially starts.
- November 27: Thanksgiving tripleheader. We've got Packers at Lions, Chiefs at Cowboys, and Bengals at Ravens.
- January 4, 2026: The regular season concludes.
- February 8, 2026: Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
Why the 2025 Start Date is Different
Normally, the NFL schedule is pretty predictable. But 2025 feels like a transitional year. With seven international games, a Friday night opener in South America, and a heavy emphasis on streaming services, the way we consume the "start" of the season is changing.
You can't just rely on a cable box anymore. You're going to need Peacock, YouTube, Prime Video, and probably a few others I'm forgetting just to catch the primetime games.
Also, keep an eye on the trades. This offseason was wild. We saw Micah Parsons get traded to Green Bay (still hard to process) and Sauce Gardner land in Indianapolis. The Week 1 matchups aren't just about the teams; they're about these massive stars facing their old squads almost immediately.
What You Should Do Now
Don't wait until the week before kickoff to get your house in order.
First, check your streaming subscriptions. If you want to see the Chiefs and Chargers in Brazil, you need to make sure your YouTube setup is ready by September 5.
Second, if you're a fantasy football player, the "start" of the season is actually the last week of August. That's when the most accurate drafts happen, once the preseason injuries have settled.
Lastly, bookmark the international schedule. Those games start at 9:30 a.m. ET. If you’re on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 6:30 a.m. kickoff. Plan your caffeine intake accordingly.
The road to Super Bowl LX is long, but it all begins with that first whistle in Philadelphia on September 4. Whether you’re watching for the Taylor Swift cameos or the actual Cover 2 schemes, the 2025 season is shaping up to be the most geographically diverse year in league history.