When Does Football Start Again in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · August 6, 2044

Football returns at different times depending on the league and country, but most major leagues, including the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League, typically restart in mid-August after the summer break. For the 2025–2026 season, top European leagues are scheduled to begin between August 8 and August 16, 2025.

When Does Football Start Again? Key Dates by League

The return of football varies globally due to differing seasonal calendars. While European leagues follow a late summer start, North American leagues like Major League Soccer (MLS) often begin in February or March. Below is a breakdown of when top leagues resume play for the 2025–2026 season.

Top European Leagues Kickoff Schedule

English Premier League: Expected to start on August 16, 2025
La Liga (Spain): Likely kickoff on August 15, 2025
Bundesliga (Germany): Traditionally starts earlier; expected August 9, 2025
Serie A (Italy): Anticipated start date of August 17, 2025
Ligue 1 (France): Set to resume around August 10, 2025

Other Major Leagues and Competitions

UEFA Champions League: Group stage begins September 16–17, 2025
Major League Soccer (USA/Canada): Regular season starts February 22, 2025
CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores: Group stage resumes February 4–5, 2025
AFC Champions League Elite: New format kicks off September 15, 2025

Factors Influencing Football Season Start Dates

Several factors determine when football seasons restart each year. These include international tournament schedules, weather conditions, broadcast agreements, and player rest periods.

Impact of International Tournaments

Global events such as the FIFA Club World Cup and continental championships can shift domestic league calendars. For example, the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in June–July 2025 will delay the start of some leagues' preseason preparations.

Climate and Regional Considerations

Countries with extreme summer heat (e.g., Middle Eastern nations) often schedule their leagues from September to May to avoid peak temperatures. In contrast, Nordic countries may have shorter seasons due to winter conditions.

League	Country	Season Format	Expected Start Date 2025	Matches per Season
English Premier League	England	August–May	August 16, 2025	38
Bundesliga	Germany	August–May	August 9, 2025	34
La Liga	Spain	August–May	August 15, 2025	38
Serie A	Italy	August–May	August 17, 2025	38
Ligue 1	France	August–May	August 10, 2025	34
Major League Soccer	USA/Canada	February–November	February 22, 2025	34 (regular season)
Eredivisie	Netherlands	August–May	August 15, 2025	34

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4

The data shows that European leagues predominantly follow an August-to-May calendar, ensuring alignment with UEFA competition schedules. In contrast, MLS adopts a calendar-year model, allowing integration with CONCACAF tournaments. The variation in match counts reflects structural differences, such as Bundesliga's 18-team format versus Premier League's 20 teams.

How to Stay Updated on Football Schedules

Fans can track official league websites, club social media channels, and sports news platforms like BBC Sport, ESPN, and Sky Sports for confirmed kickoff dates. Additionally, apps like FotMob and OneFootball provide real-time fixture updates and push notifications.

Subscribe to official league newsletters
Follow clubs on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook
Use live score applications with customizable alerts
Check broadcast TV schedules for televised matches

Frequently Asked Questions About When Football Starts Again

When does the Premier League start in 2025?

The 2025–2026 Premier League season is expected to begin on Saturday, August 16, 2025, following the traditional late-summer kickoff pattern used since 2020.

Why do some football leagues start in August while others begin in January?

Leagues in Europe typically start in August to align with the UEFA competition cycle and avoid summer international tournaments. In contrast, countries using a calendar-year system (like the USA with MLS) start in February or March to fit regional sporting calendars and climate conditions.

Does the FIFA Club World Cup affect league start dates?

Yes, the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in June–July 2025 will impact preseason planning for clubs qualifying from Europe, potentially delaying training camps and affecting the usual July friendly match schedule.

When does college football start in 2025?

College football in the United States is set to begin on August 30, 2025, with early-season games often featuring service academies or non-conference matchups leading into the main NCAA season.

Are there any new football leagues starting in 2025?

While no major new national leagues are launching in 2025, the AFC Champions League Elite will debut in September 2025 as Asia's restructured top-tier club competition, featuring a new format and increased prize money.