How Many Games in a Football Season? NFL, Premier League & More

By Sarah Miller · February 20, 2038

There is no single answer to how many games are in a football season, as it varies significantly by league, country, and competition format. In the NFL, teams play 17 regular-season games; in England's Premier League, clubs play 38 matches; while in college football (FBS), teams typically play 12 regular-season games, plus potential postseason contests.

Understanding Football Season Lengths Across Major Leagues

The number of games in a football season depends on the sport—American football or soccer—and the specific league structure. The term "football" means different sports in different regions: in the U.S., it usually refers to American football, while globally, it often refers to soccer (association football). Below is a breakdown of season lengths across major leagues.

American Football: NFL Season Structure

The National Football League (NFL) is the premier American football league. As of the 2021 season, each team plays 17 regular-season games over an 18-week period. This replaced the previous 16-game schedule.

Regular Season: 17 games per team
Preseason: 3 games per team (exhibition matches)
Postseason: Up to 4 additional games for Super Bowl participants
Total possible games per team: 20 (17 regular + 3 postseason)

Soccer: Top European League Formats

In Europe, top-tier soccer leagues follow a double round-robin format, where each team plays every other team twice—once at home and once away.

English Premier League: 38 games per team (38 matchweeks)
La Liga (Spain): 38 games
Bundesliga (Germany): 34 games
Serie A (Italy): 38 games
Ligue 1 (France): 38 games

These totals result from league size: leagues with 20 teams require 38 matches (19 opponents × 2), while Germany’s 18-team Bundesliga plays 34 games (17 × 2).

College Football: NCAA FBS Season

In the U.S., NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play a 12-game regular season as of 2023. Additional games include:

Conference Championship: 1 game for eligible teams
Bowl Game: 1 game for most teams
College Football Playoff: Up to 2 additional games

Top playoff contenders can play up to 15 total games in a season.

Comparative Analysis of Football Seasons Worldwide

To better understand variations, here is a detailed comparison of football seasons across major leagues, including both American football and soccer.

League/Country	Sport Type	Teams per League	Regular Season Games	Postseason Games (Max)	Total Possible Games
NFL (USA)	American Football	32	17	4	21
Premier League (ENG)	Soccer	20	38	3* (Europa/Champions League)	~41
Bundesliga (GER)	Soccer	18	34	3*	~37
NCAA FBS (USA)	College Football	133+	12	3 (Playoff + Bowl)	15
MLS (USA)	Soccer	29	34	4 (Playoffs)	38

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The data shows that soccer leagues generally have longer regular seasons than American football leagues due to their round-robin formats. The NFL’s 17-game season is relatively short but physically intense. In contrast, European soccer teams play nearly double the regular-season games, though with less physical contact. College football has the shortest regular season but includes multiple postseason opportunities.

Key Factors Influencing Season Length

Several factors determine how many games are scheduled in a football season:

Player Safety and Physical Demands

American football is highly physical, limiting the number of games. The NFL expanded from 16 to 17 games cautiously, with increased player safety measures. Soccer allows more frequent matches due to lower collision risk.

League Format and Structure

Round-robin leagues (e.g., Premier League) require n-1 × 2 games per team, where n is the number of teams. Single-elimination playoffs add variability based on team success.

International Competitions and Calendar

Top soccer players also participate in international tournaments (World Cup, Euros, Copa America) and continental club competitions (UEFA Champions League), which influence domestic league scheduling.

Revenue and Broadcasting

Longer seasons increase broadcast revenue. The NFL added a 17th game to boost viewership and income. Similarly, MLS expanded its regular season to enhance competitiveness and fan engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Football Season Length

How many games are in an NFL season?

Each NFL team plays 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks. With 3 preseason and up to 4 postseason games, the maximum is 21 games for a Super Bowl champion team.

How many games in a Premier League season?

Each Premier League team plays 38 games per season—19 home and 19 away—against the other 19 teams. Additional cup competitions can increase total matches.

Why does the Bundesliga have fewer games than the Premier League?

The Bundesliga has 18 teams, so each team plays 34 games (17 opponents × 2). The Premier League has 20 teams, requiring 38 games (19 × 2).

How many games do college football teams play?

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

Do all football leagues have the same number of games?

No, the number of games varies by league size, sport type, and competition format. American football leagues have shorter seasons due to physical demands, while soccer leagues use round-robin formats leading to longer schedules.