When Does Football Season Begin? Key Dates for 2025

By Sarah Miller · November 27, 2027

The football season start date varies by league and region, but in the U.S., the NFL regular season typically begins in early September, with preseason games starting in August. In Europe, most top leagues like the English Premier League and La Liga kick off in mid-August and run through May.

When Does the Football Season Start? Key Dates by League

Football seasons differ globally based on climate, competition structure, and regional traditions. The start dates vary significantly between American football and association football (soccer), as well as across continents.

American Football: NFL Season Schedule

The National Football League (NFL) follows a predictable annual calendar:

Preseason: Begins early August with exhibition games.
Regular Season: Starts the first Thursday after Labor Day (early September).
Playoffs: Begin January, culminating in the Super Bowl in February.

Soccer in Europe: Major Leagues Kickoff Dates

European soccer leagues align their seasons from late summer to late spring to avoid extreme winter weather and accommodate international tournaments.

Premier League (England): Mid-August start.
La Liga (Spain): Mid-to-late August.
Bundesliga (Germany): Typically starts last weekend of August.
Serie A (Italy): Mid-August kickoff.
Ligue 1 (France): Early August, among the earliest in Europe.

College Football in the United States

NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) begins in early September, though some teams play Week 0 games the final weekend of August. The College Football Playoff schedule concludes in early January.

Factors Influencing Football Season Start Dates

Several elements shape when football seasons begin:

Climate and Weather: Leagues in colder regions avoid peak winter months.
International Competitions: FIFA windows and continental tournaments affect domestic scheduling.
Television Broadcasts: Prime viewing times influence kickoff dates and times.
Player Rest and Recovery: Offseason length ensures athlete readiness.

League	Country	Season Start	Season End	Games per Team
NFL	United States	Early September	Early February	17
Premier League	England	Mid-August	May	38
La Liga	Spain	Mid-August	May	38
Bundesliga	Germany	End of August	May	34
Ligue 1	France	Early August	May	34
Serie A	Italy	Mid-August	May	38
NCAA FBS	United States	Early September	January	12–15

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

The data shows that European leagues start earlier than North American ones due to different seasonal planning and fewer reliance on television-driven prime-time slots. Meanwhile, the NFL's late-summer start avoids direct competition with college football while maximizing fall advertising revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions About Football Season Start Dates

When does the NFL season start in 2025?

The NFL regular season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 4, 2025, following preseason games in early August. The exact schedule is typically released in May each year.

Why do European football leagues start in August?

European leagues start in August to avoid the winter months when weather can disrupt play. This schedule also allows time for player transfers during the summer window and aligns with the UEFA Champions League calendar.

Does the football season start at the same time every year?

While not identical, start dates are consistent within a few weeks annually. The NFL begins early September; European leagues start between early and late August. Slight variations occur due to international tournaments or scheduling conflicts.

When does college football season start in 2025?

The 2025 NCAA FBS season will likely begin on August 30, 2025, with select teams playing earlier on August 28. The official kickoff depends on team schedules and conference arrangements.

What is the shortest and longest football season?

The shortest league season per team is the NFL (17 games over 18 weeks). The longest in terms of match count is leagues like the Premier League (38 matches). However, including playoffs and international competitions, top clubs may play over 60 games from July to May.