How Many Football Games Are in a Season? NFL, College, HS

By Emma Wilson · March 27, 2027

The number of football games in a season varies by league and level of play. In the NFL, each team plays 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks, followed by up to four playoff games. College football teams typically play 12 regular-season games, with opportunities for conference championships and bowl games adding more. High school seasons usually consist of 10 regular-season games. This article explores these variations across different leagues and formats.

NFL Season Structure

The National Football League (NFL) is the premier professional football league in the United States. Since the 2021 season, the NFL expanded its regular season from 16 to 17 games per team.

Regular Season

Each of the 32 teams plays 17 games.
The season spans 18 weeks, with one "bye" week per team.
One game is an interconference matchup determined by a rotation system.

Playoffs

The top seven teams from each conference (AFC and NFC) qualify.
Wildcard Round: 6 games (3 per conference).
Divisional Round: 4 games.
Championship Games: 2 games.
Super Bowl: 1 game.

A team must win four playoff games to win the Super Bowl, meaning a championship team can play up to 20 games in a season.

College Football Seasons

NCAA college football includes multiple divisions, with the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) being the highest level.

FBS Regular Season

Teams play 12 regular-season games.
Scheduling flexibility allows for non-conference and rivalry games.
Service academies may petition for a 13th regular-season game when hosting special events.

Postseason in College Football

Conference Championship Games: 1 additional game for eligible teams.
Bowl Games: Over 40 bowl-eligible teams play in postseason matchups.
College Football Playoff (CFP): Top 4 or 12 teams (expanding in 2024) compete in semifinals and finals.

A CFP champion can play up to 15 games in a season (12 regular + 1 conference title + 2 playoff games).

High School Football Seasons

High school football seasons vary by state and classification, but most follow similar structures.

Regular season: Typically 10 games.
Some states allow 9 or 11 games depending on scheduling rules.
Postseason: Varies by state; some have multi-round playoffs, others end with championships.

In states like Texas, successful teams can play up to 16 games including playoffs.

Comparison Across Leagues

League	Regular Season Games	Max Postseason Games	Total Max Games	Season Duration (Weeks)
NFL	17	4	21	18 + 4 playoffs
NCAA FBS	12	3	15	14 + 4 playoffs
NAIA	10	4	14	14
HS Average	10	6	16	12–16

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table shows that while the NFL has the longest regular season, high school teams in competitive states can exceed college teams in total games due to extended playoffs. The NCAA FBS limits regular-season length but allows deep playoff runs under the new 12-team format starting in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions About Football Season Game Counts

How many games are in an NFL regular season?

Since 2021, each NFL team plays 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks, with one bye week built into the schedule.

How many games do college football teams play?

NCAA FBS teams play 12 regular-season games. With conference championships and bowl or playoff appearances, they can play up to 15 games in a season.

Why does the NFL play 17 games now?

The NFL expanded to 17 games in 2021 to increase revenue, enhance player exposure, and align with collective bargaining agreement terms that included adjustments for player safety and roster sizes.

Do all high school teams play the same number of games?

No, high school football schedules vary by state and classification. Most states have 10-game regular seasons, but some allow 9 or 11. Playoff participation depends on team performance and state rules.

How many games are in the College Football Playoff?

Under the new 12-team format starting in 2024, the College Football Playoff will consist of three rounds: First Round, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the National Championship. A team must win 3 games to become champion if seeded in the top 4, or 4 games if starting in the first round.