Essential NFL Calendar: Key Dates and Events for the 2025–2026 Season
Whether you're an NFL fanatic, a fantasy football guru, or just love the drama of the league year, knowing the important dates can make all the difference. From franchise tag deadlines to international games and playoff battles, here's your comprehensive guide to the 2025–2026 NFL season. Let’s break it down month-by-month.
July 15: By 4:00 p.m. ET, any team that designated a player with the Franchise Tag must finalize a multi-year deal or extension. Failing that, the player is limited to a one-year contract—with no extensions—until after the final regular-season game.
Mid-July: Training camps open their gates! Rookies can report seven days before veterans. The term “rookie” here refers to players who've never signed an NFL contract in a prior season.
Interestingly, “first-year players” (those with past contracts but no pension-credited seasons) may also be asked to report alongside rookies or veterans—at the club's discretion. Additionally, quarterbacks and injured players may be summoned up to five days before other vets, under certain conditions.
July 22: At 4:00 p.m. ET, the signing window closes for Transition Players with pending tenders. From this point until after Week 10, the original club has exclusive negotiation rights.
Also, this marks the end of the signing period for unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who received a “UFA Tender.” If unsigned by this date, only their former team may negotiate with them during that same post-Week 10 window.
July 31: Football returns to Canton, Ohio! The Hall of Fame Game features the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Detroit Lions—a historic kickoff to the preseason festivities.
August 5: Drafted rookies must sign by this date. Otherwise, they're restricted from joining other clubs and can only sign with the drafting team through the 2026 Draft.
August 7–10, 15–18, 21–23: The NFL Preseason unfolds over three weekends, giving fans their first look at how rosters are shaping up.
August 26: Time to tim the fat. Clubs must finalize their 53-man roster by 4:00 p.m. ET. Players on PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) or NFI (Non-Football Injury) lists must either be moved to reserve lists, waived, or traded.
Notably, each team can designate up to two players for return later in the season—but these designations count immediately, regardless of whether the player returns to practice.
August 27: By noon ET, waiver claims from roster cuts are resolved. Practice squads (max 17 players) may then be formed, including one international player.
August 31: The final day of training camp as outlined in the CBA (Article 23, Section 10).
September 1–6: Injury reporting begins. Teams must file reports three days before each game, based on the game’s scheduled day. Additionally, Game Status Reports are due a day or two before kickoff, depending on the matchup.
September 4–8: Welcome to Kickoff Weekend! The season launches with nationally televised matchups, including...
September 5: A special treat for global fans: Kansas City Chiefs face the LA Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil, as part of the NFL International Series.
September 23: Waiver claim priorities now shift based on current standings rather than last season's records. Ties are broken using strength-of-schedule and other criteria.
September 26–30: Players on PUP or NFI lists (due to preseason injuries) can start practicing—within a 21-day activation window.
September 28: Dublin hosts an International Game at Croke Park: Vikings vs. Steelers.
- October 5: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosts Vikings vs. Browns.
- October 12: Broncos take on the Jets in the same venue.
- October 19: Wembley Stadium welcomes the Rams vs. Jaguars.
- October 21–22: NFL Fall League Meeting in New York.
- November 4: The NFL trade window closes at 4:00 p.m. ET.
- November 5: From this day forward, any player with four pension-credited seasons is subject to waivers for the rest of the season.
- November 9: The International Series continues—this time in Berlin. Falcons face the Colts at Olympic Stadium.
- November 11: Final call for franchise-tagged players. Any unsigned players (Franchise, Transition, UFA Tender, RFA with June 1 Tender) are now barred from playing in 2025.
- November 16: Madrid makes NFL history. Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
- December 9–10: The league holds a Special (Virtual) Meeting.
- January 2026: Regular Season Ends, Playoffs Begin
- January 3–4: Week 18 wraps up.
- January 5: Teams may start signing free agents for the 2026 season—including CFL players. It’s also the earliest date to renegotiate rookie deals from the 2023 Draft. Fifth-year options may be exercised for 2023 first-rounders.
- January 6–14: Deadlines for college underclassmen to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Approval lists will be shared with teams shortly thereafter.
- January 7: Postseason rosters are frozen, with some exceptions.
- January 10–12: Wild Card Weekend kicks off the playoffs.
- January 17–18: Divisional Round action begins.
- January 25: The AFC and NFC Championship Games crown the conference winners.
- February 8: Super Bowl LX takes place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The biggest night in football. Will your team be there?
- February 17–March 3: Clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players during this window.
- February 23–March 2: NFL Scouting Combine returns to Lucas Oil Stadium, where tomorrow’s stars show off their skills.
- March 3: Last day to tag players.
- March 9–11: The “legal tampering” window opens. Teams can negotiate with agents of players hitting free agency—though deals can’t be signed just yet.
- March 11: At 4:00 p.m. ET, the 2026 League Year officially begins. Free agency and trading open simultaneously.
- March 29–April 1: The Annual League Meeting takes place in Phoenix, Arizona.
- April 6–22: Clubs conduct visits and interviews with draft-eligible players. Teams with new head coaches begin workouts on April 6; returning coaches start April 20.
- April 23–25: The NFL Draft lands in Pittsburgh! It’s the weekend where futures are decided, and dreams come true.
The NFL calendar is much more than just Sundays on the gridiron. It's a year-round journey filled with crucial dates, intense preparation, and major turning points. From contract deadlines to global games and playoff thrills, every week carries weight. Whether you're following your favorite team or tracking fantasy football potential, keeping tabs on these key moments can elevate your experience.
So bookmark this schedule, mark your calendar, and get ready for another unforgettable NFL season.