Football is finally making its long-awaited return. The NFL kicks off the 2025 season with the annual Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, July 31, featuring the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions in Canton, Ohio.
While the Hall of Fame Game officially marks the beginning of NFL action, what comes next brings real competition: Week 1 of the preseason.
NFL Preseason Week 1 Kicks Off August 7
On Thursday, Aug. 7, the 2025 NFL preseason kicks off with three games to start the weekend schedule. The Las Vegas Raiders go to the Pacific Northwest to play the Seattle Seahawks, the Cincinnati Bengals travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles, and the Indianapolis Colts visit the Baltimore Ravens.
These early games will preview the league’s quarterback competition and roster depth.
The @Lions and @Chargers have some Hall of Fame Game history worth dusting off before this weeks matchup📚
⏰ Thursday, July 31 at 8 pm ET (Coverage starts at 7 pm)
📺 @SNFonNBC/@Peacock pic.twitter.com/6eAJ0dpdi5— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) July 29, 2025
Action continues on Friday, Aug. 8, with three more games on the schedule. The Detroit Lions, after playing in the Hall of Fame Game, will take the field again against the Atlanta Falcons. The Cleveland Browns head to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers, and the Washington Commanders make the trip to Foxborough for a matchup with the New England Patriots.
The week’s busiest day comes Saturday, Aug. 9, with eight games on tap. The New York Giants meet the Buffalo Bills, and the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs head to Arizona to face the Cardinals. Here are the rest of Saturday’s matchups:
- Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams
- Tennessee Titans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New York Jets at Green Bay Packers
- Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers
Week 1 wraps up on Sunday, Aug. 10, with a pair of games: the Chicago Bears host the Miami Dolphins, and the New Orleans Saints take on the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Complete Week 1 Preseason Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 7
- Colts at Ravens
- 7 p.m. ET
- Bengals at Eagles
- 7:30 p.m. ET
- Raiders at Seahawks
- 10 p.m. ET
Friday, Aug. 8
- Lions at Falcons
- 7 p.m. ET
- Browns at Panthers
- 7 p.m. ET
- Commanders at Patriots
- 7:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Aug. 9
- Giants at Bills
- 1 p.m. ET
- Texans at Vikings
- 4 p.m. ET
- Steelers at Jaguars
- 7 p.m. ET
- Cowboys at Rams
- 7 p.m. ET
- Titans at Buccaneers
- 7:30 p.m. ET
- Jets at Packers
- 8 p.m. ET
- Chiefs at Cardinals
- 8 p.m. ET
- Broncos at 49ers
- 8:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Aug. 10
- Dolphins at Bears
- 1 p.m. ET
- Saints at Chargers
- 4 p.m. ET
With football back on the calendar, Week 1 of the 2025 preseason offers fans and teams alike an extended look at the league’s rising stars and a taste of what’s to come this fall.
