When Does Football Season Start? 2025 Dates by Level

By Sarah Miller · October 30, 2049

Football begins in early September for the NFL regular season, with preseason starting in August; college football kicks off mid-August, and high school seasons vary by state but typically start in late August or early September.

When Does Football Season Start?

The start of football season depends on the level of play—professional, college, or high school. In the United States, the National Football League (NFL) regular season typically begins the weekend after Labor Day in early September. However, preseason games start in early August. College football, governed by the NCAA, usually starts around mid-to-late August, with major conferences like the SEC and Big Ten kicking off their schedules then. High school football varies by state due to local regulations, but most states begin games in late August or early September, often culminating in state championships in November or December.

NFL Football Schedule Overview

Preseason, Regular Season, and Playoffs

The NFL calendar is divided into three main phases: preseason, regular season, and playoffs.

Preseason: Begins in early August with exhibition games used for team evaluation and player development.
Regular Season: Starts the first full weekend after Labor Day (usually early September) and runs through early January.

Playoffs:

The 2025 NFL regular season is scheduled to begin on September 4, 2025, with the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the opening game.

College Football Start Dates

FBS, FCS, and Conference Variations

College football features multiple divisions, each with slightly different start dates:

FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision): The top tier, including Power Five conferences (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12), typically starts games in late August.
FCS (Football Championship Subdivision): Often begins around the same time as FBS but may have more flexibility.
Bowl Season: Runs from late December through early January, capped by the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The 2025 college football season is expected to kick off on August 30, 2025, with early games often played in Hawaii or other locations due to scheduling exceptions.

High School Football Seasons by State

High school football start dates are determined by individual state athletic associations. While most states begin games in late August, some start earlier or later based on climate, academic calendars, and tradition.

Texas: Early August (six-man and smaller classifications may start earlier)
California: Late August
Florida: Early September
New York: Late September
Oregon: Late August

Championship games typically occur between November and December, depending on the state.

International and Youth Football Schedules

Youth Leagues and Flag Football

Youth football programs across the U.S. generally align with the school year, starting in August or September. Organizations like Pop Warner and USA Football structure their seasons to avoid conflicts with academics and prioritize safety.

Pop Warner: Practices begin in late July, games start in August.
AYF (American Youth Football): Season runs from August to October/November.
Flag Football: Growing rapidly, especially for girls; often played in spring or fall depending on region.

2025 Football Season Key Dates Comparison

League/Level	Preseason Start	Regular Season Start	Championship Date	Duration (Weeks)
NFL	August 7, 2025	September 4, 2025	February 1, 2026	18 (regular) + 4 (playoffs)
NCAA FBS	August 23, 2025	August 30, 2025	January 19, 2026	14 regular + 4+ bowl
High School (Avg)	August 10, 2025	August 28, 2025	December 6, 2025	10–12 regular + playoffs
Pop Warner	July 28, 2025	August 9, 2025	November 22, 2025	10–12
Youth Flag (Girls)	March 15, 2025	April 5, 2025	June 28, 2025	12

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that professional and college football dominate the fall sports calendar, starting in late summer and extending into winter. High school and youth leagues follow similar timelines but with regional variations. Notably, flag football is increasingly scheduled in the spring, offering a non-contact alternative during warmer months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Football Season Start Dates

When does the 2025 NFL season start?

The 2025 NFL regular season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 4, 2025, with the defending Super Bowl champion hosting the opening game. Preseason games will start in early August.

What month does college football start?

College football typically starts in late August. The 2025 NCAA FBS season is set to kickoff on August 30, 2025, with early games sometimes played in Hawaii or neutral sites under NCAA rules.

Do all high schools start football at the same time?

No, high school football start dates vary by state. Most states begin in late August, but some—like Texas—start in early August, while others—like New York—begin in late September based on state athletic association guidelines.

When do youth football leagues start?

Youth football leagues such as Pop Warner usually begin practices in late July, with games starting in mid-to-late August. The season typically lasts 10–12 weeks, ending in November.

Is there spring football?

Yes, spring football is growing in popularity. The United Football League (UFL) plays its season from March to June. Additionally, high school flag football, especially for girls, is increasingly offered as a spring sport in states like Florida and California.