After the Eagles beat the Chiefs in the 2025 Super Bowl, we turn the page and look at the 2025-26 NFL schedule and key dates for next season's offseason.
The Chiefs are the Super Bowl favorites ahead of the Baltimore Ravens and Eagles, who will likely open the NFL schedule with their annual kickoff game as Super Bowl champions. The NFL Scouting Tournament will take place later this month, followed by free agency in March and the NFL Draft in April.
When will the 2025-26 NFL schedule be released?
We're still waiting to see when the NFL schedule will be released, but we can expect it to come out sometime in mid-May.
Last season, the NFL schedule was released on May 15, and in the previous three years it was released on either May 11 or May 12. If previous trends continue, we can expect the NFL to release the schedule on Wednesday, May 14.
NFL offseason key dates and deadlines
Here's a look at the key dates and events of the NFL offseason after the Super Bowl:
- Feb. 18: Teams can designate franchise / transition tags
- Feb. 24 - March 3: NFL Scouting Combine
- March 4: Deadline for franchise tag
- March 10-12: Free agency negotiation period
- March 12: Free agency and trading period (1st day of league year)
- March 30 - April 2: Annual league meeting
- April 7: Offseason workouts begin for teams with new head coaches
- April 18: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
- April 21: Offseason workouts begin for teams with returning head coaches
- April 24-26: NFL rookie draft
- May 1: Deadline to exercise fifth-year options
- May 2-5 or May 9-12: Rookie minicamps
- July 15: Deadline to sign extension for franchise tag players
- Mid-July: Training camps
When is the NFL scouting tournament taking place?
The next major event on the NFL calendar after the Super Bowl is the annual scouting tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium, which will be held Feb. 24-March 3.
It will give NFL coaches and executives a chance to evaluate rookies before the NFL Draft, which will be held April 24-26. It is also an opportunity for NFL bettors to capitalize on the numerous odds and wagers.
When does 2025 NFL free agency begin?
Beginning March 10, unrestricted free agents can sign contracts with new teams during a two-day negotiation period commonly referred to as the “legal interference window” in free agency.
Contracts cannot become official until March 12 at 4 p.m. ET, when the 2025-26 NFL year begins. At that time, teams can officially begin making trades, including those previously announced before March 12.
When will the 2025 NFL draft be held?
The NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, April 24 with the first round. The second and third rounds will take place on Friday, April 25, and the fourth through seventh rounds will conclude on Saturday, April 26.
You don't have to wait until April to bet on the 2025 NFL Draft odds, including who will be the No. 1 pick and which players will be selected in the first round.
When do NFL training camps take place?
Teams will announce training camp schedules as summer approaches, but you can expect all training camps to begin sometime in mid-July. Last year, the NFL announced training camp dates on June 18, and they were all scheduled to begin between July 13 and July 24.
When will NFL Week 1 start in 2025?
The 2025 NFL regular season is scheduled to begin on September 4, 2025. Traditionally, the Super Bowl champions open the season by hosting a Thursday night game to open the NFL season, so expect this year's game to be played in Philadelphia.
The first Sunday of the 2025 NFL season is scheduled for Sept. 7, with Monday Night Football's season opener on Sept. 8.
When will the NFL's Thanksgiving Day games take place?
The NFL's annual Thanksgiving Day games will take place on Thursday, Nov. 27, and will likely consist of three games, two of which will feature the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, teams that traditionally play every year on this holiday.
When will the 2025-26 NFL playoffs begin?
The 2025-26 NFL playoffs will begin on Saturday, Jan. 10, with the wild-card round likely to run through Monday, Jan. 12. That will be followed by the NFL Divisional Round on Jan. 18-19 and the NFL Conference Championship on Sunday, Jan. 26.
When will the 2026 Super Bowl take place?
Super Bowl 2026 will take place on February 8, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. We don't yet know who will be playing in Super Bowl 60, although the Chiefs and Eagles are considered the favorites to win the AFC and NFC, respectively.
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 8
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)
- Favorite: Chiefs (+600 via DraftKings)
- TV: NBC
Frequently asked questions about the 2025-26 NFL schedule
When will the 2025-26 season begin?
The 2025 NFL season will begin on September 4, 2025. The Eagles will likely play their opening NFL game on Thursday night.
When will the 2025-26 NFL playoffs begin?
The 2025-26 NFL playoffs will begin with the wild-card round on Saturday, Jan. 10.
When will the 2026 Super Bowl take place?
Super Bowl 2026 will take place on February 8, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
