What Time Are Football Games on Sunday?

By Sarah Miller · April 9, 2050

Most NFL football games on Sunday are played at 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM Eastern Time, with occasional primetime matchups at 8:20 PM ET. These times apply to the regular season and may vary slightly based on network scheduling and blackout rules.

Sunday NFL Game Times Overview

The National Football League (NFL) schedules most of its weekly games on Sundays during the regular season. These games are primarily broadcast on CBS and FOX, with start times designed to accommodate national audiences across different time zones.

Standard Kickoff Times

1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT): Early afternoon games, mostly aired on CBS and FOX.
4:25 PM ET (1:25 PM PT): Late afternoon games, often featuring marquee matchups.
8:20 PM ET (5:20 PM PT): Sunday Night Football, exclusively broadcast on NBC.

Factors That Influence Game Scheduling

Several elements affect when NFL games are set on Sundays:

Network Rights: CBS and FOX hold rights to broadcast regional games in the early and late windows.
National TV Selections: The NFL can move compelling matchups into the late afternoon national slot.
Weather and Logistics: Rarely, extreme conditions or stadium conflicts may shift kickoffs.
International Games: London-based games typically occur at 9:30 AM or 1:00 PM ET on Sundays.

2025 NFL Sunday Game Schedule Sample

Date	Game	Start Time (ET)	TV Network
October 5, 2025	Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles	1:00 PM	CBS
October 5, 2025	Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills	4:25 PM	FOX
October 5, 2025	Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers	8:20 PM	NBC
October 12, 2025	New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins	1:00 PM	CBS
October 12, 2025	Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks	4:05 PM	FOX

Table data source:1, 2

The table illustrates typical Sunday game distribution across networks and time slots. Most matchups fall into the 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM ET windows, with high-profile contests reserved for national broadcasts. Flex scheduling in the second half of the season may alter later game times for better viewership.

How to Find Exact Game Times Weekly

While general patterns exist, exact kickoff times are confirmed weekly by the NFL. Fans should consult official sources such as:

NFL.com's weekly schedule page
Team-specific websites and apps
Broadcast network listings (CBS, FOX, NBC)
Sports apps like ESPN, Yahoo Sports, or the NFL Mobile app

Note: Starting Week 5, the NFL uses "flexible scheduling" to ensure compelling late-season games appear in prime time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sunday Football Game Times

What time do NFL games start on Sunday in the Eastern Time Zone?

NFL games on Sunday typically begin at 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM ET, with Sunday Night Football kicking off at 8:20 PM ET.

Are all Sunday NFL games played at the same time?

No, games are staggered. Early games start at 1:00 PM ET, late games at 4:25 PM ET, and one primetime game at 8:20 PM ET to maximize national viewership.

Can Sunday NFL game times change after the initial schedule is released?

Yes. The NFL uses flexible scheduling starting in Week 5, allowing it to move more appealing matchups into the Sunday night or late afternoon national window up to 12 days in advance.

What channels broadcast Sunday NFL games?

CBS and FOX air regional Sunday afternoon games. NBC broadcasts Sunday Night Football. Some games may also be streamed on Peacock, Paramount+, or NFL+.

Do international NFL games affect Sunday U.S. broadcast times?

Yes. Games played in London typically occur at 9:30 AM or 1:00 PM ET on Sundays to accommodate UK broadcast hours, while still fitting into the U.S. viewing day.