The calendar has turned to late July, and football fans across America know what that means. Training camps are wrapping up, preseason games loom just days away, and the anticipation for another NFL season reaches fever pitch.
But this isn’t just any season – the 2025 campaign promises global stages, historic rivalries, and a Super Bowl destination that’s become synonymous with championship dreams.
When Does the NFL Season Begin in 2025?
The NFL regular season begins on Thursday, September 4, with the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Following league tradition since 2004, the opening game features the defending champions; this season, that spotlight belongs to Philadelphia.
This marks the Eagles’ first home game since capturing the NFC title. For Dallas, the game will feature multiple storylines that will captivate fans nationwide.
Quarterback Dak Prescott returns from injury, wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will play together for the first time, and Brian Schottenheimer will debut as an NFL head coach.
The NFC East rivalry adds another layer of intensity to a game that will set the tone for the division race early in the season.
What International Games Will Shape the Global NFL Experience?
Before the regular season kicks off, fans get their first taste of live action when the Detroit Lions face the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, July 31. Preseason Week 1 officially begins on August 7.
The league expands its international presence significantly this year. On September 5, the Kansas City Chiefs battle the Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
This matchup carries special significance as the first international game of the season and the first to be streamed free to a global audience on YouTube.
1 WEEK UNTIL THE HALL OF FAME GAME 🔥🏈😤🥹 pic.twitter.com/GpAn03HzvS
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) July 24, 2025
Kansas City, having appeared in three of the last six Super Bowls, is scheduled for seven prime-time games this season, including a holiday appearance and a Week 2 rematch against Philadelphia.
The international expansion includes games in Dublin, London, Berlin, Madrid, and Sao Paulo. The Minnesota Vikings will become the first NFL team to play in three countries during one season, with consecutive games in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
What Makes the Holiday Games Special This Season?
Thanksgiving Day remains a key feature of the NFL calendar. On November 27, the Lions face the Green Bay Packers, while Dallas takes on Kansas City later that evening.
The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals close the Thanksgiving slate in a night game.
EXCLUSIVE: @CBSSports‘ @CowherCBS reveals a marquee Thanksgiving Day matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs on @CBS.
Every game of the 2025 @NFL schedule will be revealed tonight at 8 p.m. ET on the @NFLNetwork. pic.twitter.com/ANXphyfoRX
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) May 14, 2025
Philadelphia battles the Chicago Bears the following day in a Black Friday matchup broadcast by Amazon Prime Video.
Christmas Day features three games that showcase the league’s streaming partnerships. The Washington Commanders face Dallas, and Minnesota takes on Detroit, both streamed on Netflix, followed by Kansas City against the Denver Broncos on Amazon Prime Video later that night.
When Will Super Bowl 60 Take Place?
Each team plays 17 games across 18 weeks, with the regular season concluding on January 4, 2026. The playoffs begin January 10, and Super Bowl 60 will be held on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
This marks the third time the San Francisco Bay Area will host the NFL championship game and the second time Levi’s Stadium will welcome the Super Bowl.
With a season that includes a global stage, historic matchups, and a competitive race to the playoffs, the 2025 NFL calendar delivers drama and spectacle from start to finish.
