The countdown to the new NFL season is officially underway, with plenty of excitement building across the globe ahead of what should be an exciting and unpredictable battle to reach the Super Bowl.

After lifting the Lombardi Trophy in February, the Philadelphia Eagles will enter the new season as reigning champions, but the Kansas City Chiefs, determined to reclaim their crown with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce at the helm, lead a strong pack of challengers.

With the likes of the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions all boasting ambitions to make the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, the battle to become world champions looks as fierce as ever.

As the anticipation for the new campaign builds, here’s everything you need to know about the season start, pre-season schedule, and early fixtures to circle on the calendar.

When Does the New NFL Season Start?

The 2025 NFL regular season begins on Thursday, September 4, with the traditional season-opening game featuring the reigning Super Bowl champions.

The Philadelphia Eagles will host their NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, in what looks to be a competitive clash on paper.

The first Sunday of the season, September 7, brings a full slate of fixtures, headlined by a blockbuster Sunday Night Football contest between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens - two of the favourites to lead the AFC.

One of the most eagerly anticipated early fixtures comes in Week 2, when the Eagles travel to Arrowhead Stadium for a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.

It will be an early indicator for the Eagles whether they can compete for the title in back-to-back seasons, against the elite dynasty led by Patrick Reid.

This season also features a record seven international games, with fixtures scheduled across London, Berlin, Madrid, Sao Paulo, and Dublin as the league continues its global expansion.

The regular season will run until January 4, 2026, with the play-offs beginning the following week.

Super Bowl LX will take place on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in California.

When Does NFL Pre-Season Start?

Before the regular season kicks off, teams will go through training camps and a shortened pre-season schedule to prepare for the gruelling campaign ahead.

The action begins with the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, July 31, when the Detroit Lions take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Canton, Ohio.

This annual curtain-raiser is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s induction weekend and serves as a good warm-up for a few of the NFL’s teams.

Following the Hall of Fame Game, the pre-season schedule continues with Week 1 games between August 7-10, followed by additional matches over the next two weeks.

Notable clashes include the New England Patriots vs the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings vs the Tennessee Titans.

Due to their involvement in the Hall of Fame Game, both the Lions and Chargers will play four pre-season games, while all other teams will feature in three.

NFL Training Camp Preparation

Training camps mark the first step toward the new season. Most teams will welcome rookies between July 12-15, with veteran players arriving from July 16 onward.

The Chargers will be the first to report, while other teams stagger their arrivals based on individual schedules.

Several franchises, including the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, will host open practice sessions for fans during training camp, offering a closer look at rookies, new signings, and quarterbacks ahead of the new campaign.

Pre-season will officially wrap up by August 31, giving teams just a few days to trim their rosters to the regular-season 53-man limit before preparations for Week 1 begin.

With the best looking to go again, rising contenders, and a jam-packed schedule, the 2025-26 NFL season has all the makings of a classic. You can even find the best NFL promos here!

Whether you're rooting for the Eagles to defend their title, backing the Chiefs to bounce back, or hoping your team makes a surprise run, the journey begins soon.