NFL Season Start 2025 – Cowboys-Eagles Opener on Sept. 4
The 2025 NFL regular season commenced on Thursday, September 4, with the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff arrived at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, marking the official beginning of the league’s 106th season of professional competition.
This primetime matchup continued the NFL’s tradition of opening the campaign with a standalone Thursday night contest featuring divisional rivals. The Eagles hosted the opener as the defending NFC champions, while the Cowboys entered seeking redemption after missing the postseason the previous year.
The 2025 schedule spans 18 weeks and includes 17 regular-season contests per franchise, incorporating international matchups in Brazil and England alongside the domestic slate. Every team plays one bye week during the marathon that extends into January 2026.
When Does the 2025 NFL Regular Season Start?
May 14, 2025
July 31, 2025
September 4, 2025
October 5, 12, 19
- The season opener falls on Thursday, September 4, maintaining the league’s post-Labor Day kickoff tradition.
- Each franchise plays 17 regular-season games across an 18-week framework, with one bye week allocated per club.
- The first international contest occurs Friday, September 5, in São Paulo, Brazil, featuring the Chiefs and Chargers.
- Schedule release coincided with the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on May 14.
- Thursday Night Football broadcasts move exclusively to Prime Video for the duration of the regular season.
- Week 18 implements flexible scheduling, with specific Saturday and Sunday times determined after Week 17 results.
- London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosts consecutive weeks of American football in October.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hall of Fame Game | July 31, 2025 | Chargers vs. Lions, 8:00 p.m. ET, NBC |
| Schedule Release | May 14, 2025 | 8:00 p.m. ET, NFL Network/NFL+ |
| Season Opener | Sept 4, 2025 | Cowboys at Eagles, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC |
| Brazil Game | Sept 5, 2025 | Chiefs vs. Chargers, 8:00 p.m. ET, YouTube |
| First Sunday | Sept 7, 2025 | Buccaneers at Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX |
| First Monday Night | Sept 8, 2025 | Vikings at Bears, 8:15 p.m. ET |
| Tottenham Week 4 | Oct 5, 2025 | Vikings vs. Browns |
| Tottenham Week 5 | Oct 12, 2025 | Broncos vs. Jets |
| Wembley Week 6 | Oct 19, 2025 | Rams vs. Jaguars |
| Week 17 | Late Dec 2025 | Flexible Thu-Sun-Mon |
| Week 18 | Jan 3-4, 2026 | Saturday/Sunday TBD |
NFL 2025 Schedule Release Date
The NFL published the complete 272-game regular season slate on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The announcement occurred simultaneously during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, syndicated across NFL Network and the NFL+ streaming service.
Broadcast Distribution
NFL Operations provides the official 2025 schedule documentation and broadcast details.
Summary
The 2025 NFL season launches September 4 with a Thursday night divisional clash between the Cowboys and Eagles. Spanning 18 weeks and 272 games, the schedule features international contests in São Paulo and London, flexible late-season scheduling, and exclusive Thursday Night Football coverage on Prime Video. The regular season concludes January 3-4, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2025 NFL regular season start?
The 2025 NFL regular season begins Thursday, September 4, 2025, with the Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles at 8:20 p.m. ET.
When was the 2025 NFL schedule released?
The NFL released the complete 2025 schedule on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET during the first round of the NFL Draft.
How many games are in the 2025 NFL regular season?
Each team plays 17 regular-season games across an 18-week schedule. The league schedules 272 total games.
Where will the NFL play international games in 2025?
The 2025 season includes games in São Paulo, Brazil (September 5) and London, England (October 5, 12, and 19). London contests take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium.
When does the 2025 NFL preseason start?
The 2025 NFL preseason begins July 31, 2025, with the Hall of Fame Game featuring the Chargers versus the Lions at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
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