What Time Is Tonight's NFL Game? Kickoff Schedule 2025

By Sarah Miller · October 28, 2045

If you're asking what time does the NFL football game come on tonight, the answer depends on your location and the specific matchup. For viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones, most primetime NFL games start at 8:20 PM ET (7:20 PM CT). Late games typically kick off at 8:15 PM ET during Weekends, while Sunday Night Football airs weekly at 8:20 PM ET on NBC. Always confirm the exact time based on your local broadcast and timezone.

How to Find Tonight's NFL Game Time

Finding the correct start time for tonight's NFL game requires checking a few key factors including the day of the week, network broadcasting the game, and your time zone. The NFL schedules games across multiple windows each week.

Key Factors That Determine Kickoff Time

Day of the Week: Sunday, Monday, and Thursday games have different standard start times.
Broadcast Network: Networks like CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime set specific kickoff slots.
Time Zone: ET, CT, MT, and PT all affect local air times.
Game Type: Regular season, playoffs, or special international games may vary.

NFL Primetime Game Schedule Breakdown

The NFL divides its weekly schedule into distinct broadcast windows. Here’s when you can expect games to air based on the night:

Sunday Night Football

Aired weekly on NBC, this marquee matchup starts at 8:20 PM Eastern Time (7:20 PM Central). It's the most consistent primetime slot in the league.

Monday Night Football

Broadcast on ESPN and ABC, Monday games usually begin at 8:15 PM ET. Occasionally, doubleheaders may include an early game at 7:15 PM ET, but the main event is at 8:15 PM.

Thursday Night Football

Streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, these games typically kick off at 8:15 PM ET. Special matchups or holiday games may shift slightly.

2025 NFL Broadcast Schedule Overview

Game Day	Network	Typical Start Time (ET)	Notes
Sunday	NBC	8:20 PM	Sunday Night Football weekly feature
Monday	ESPN/ABC	8:15 PM	Main MNF game; occasional doubleheaders
Thursday	Prime Video	8:15 PM	Exclusive streaming on Amazon
Holiday Games	NFL Network	8:00 PM or 8:15 PM	Thanksgiving, Christmas games vary
Playoffs	Multinetwork	8:15 PM or 8:20 PM	Wild Card, Divisional, Conference Finals

Table data source:NFL Official Schedule, NBC SNF, ESPN NFL Schedule

The table above shows that primetime NFL games are consistently scheduled between 8:15 PM and 8:20 PM ET, regardless of network. Sunday Night Football remains the highest-rated weekly broadcast, while Amazon has standardized Thursday kickoffs at 8:15 PM ET since 2023. Holiday and playoff games follow similar patterns but may vary by 5–10 minutes based on production needs.

How Time Zones Affect Game Air Times

Your geographic location directly impacts when the game airs locally. While all times are listed in Eastern Time, networks adjust feeds accordingly:

Eastern Time: 8:20 PM ET (e.g., New York, Miami)
Central Time: 7:20 PM CT (e.g., Dallas, Chicago)
Mountain Time: 6:20 PM MT (e.g., Denver, Salt Lake City)
Pacific Time: 5:20 PM PT (e.g., Los Angeles, Seattle)

Note: Some Mountain and Pacific time zone regions may experience slight delays due to live broadcast synchronization.

Where to Watch Tonight's NFL Game

Depending on the night, NFL games are broadcast across several platforms:

NBC: Sunday Night Football
ESPN/ABC: Monday Night Football
Amazon Prime Video: Thursday Night Football
NFL Network: Select preseason, regular season, and draft coverage
Peacock: Exclusive streaming of some Sunday games

For cord-cutters, consider subscribing to services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV, which carry all major NFL networks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tonight's NFL Game Time

What time does the NFL game start tonight in Eastern Time?

Most primetime NFL games start at 8:20 PM ET on Sundays, 8:15 PM ET on Mondays and Thursdays. Always verify with your local listing as kickoff times can vary slightly by week.

Does the NFL game time change based on the network?

Yes. NBC's Sunday Night Football begins at 8:20 PM ET, while ESPN's Monday Night Football typically starts at 8:15 PM ET. Amazon's Thursday Night Football also kicks off at 8:15 PM ET.

What time do NFL games start in Central Time?

In the Central Time Zone, NFL primetime games usually start at 7:20 PM CT for Sunday nights and 7:15 PM CT for Monday and Thursday games.

Can I stream tonight's NFL game online?

Yes. You can stream games via NBC Sports, ESPN App, Amazon Prime Video, or live TV streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV, provided you have access to the broadcasting network.

Are there any NFL games tonight?

To confirm if there’s an NFL game tonight, check the official NFL schedule. Games are typically played on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays during the regular season (September to January).