When Does Spring Football Start? 2025 Schedule Guide

By Sarah Miller · July 9, 2033

Spring football in the United States typically begins in February or March, with practices starting for college teams under the NCAA calendar, while professional spring leagues like the UFL kick off games in March.

Understanding Spring Football Start Dates

Spring football refers to organized American football played during the spring months, primarily from February through May. Unlike traditional fall college and NFL seasons, spring football offers developmental opportunities, exhibition play, and alternative professional leagues.

Key Leagues and Their Season Timelines

NCAA College Football (Spring Practice): Teams begin spring drills in late February or early March, concluding with spring games in April.
United Football League (UFL): The premier spring professional league, formed from the XFL-USFL merger, starts its regular season in March.
Historical Leagues: Past leagues like the AAF (2019) and XFL (2020, 2023) also launched games in February or March.

When Do College Teams Begin Spring Football?

NCAA regulations allow Division I football programs to hold spring practice sessions beginning in late February. These are not full games but structured scrimmages and position evaluations.

NCAA Spring Practice Schedule Example

Start Date: First week of March
Duration: 15 sanctioned practices over 4 weeks
Spring Game: Held in mid-to-late April
Break: No contact during academic finals week

Professional Spring Football: The UFL Era

The current top-tier spring football league is the United Football League (UFL), established in 2024 as a merger between the XFL and USFL. It represents the most stable attempt at sustainable spring professional football.

UFL Season Structure

Regular Season Start: Early March
Number of Games: 8 games per team (2024 season)
Playoffs: Mid-May
Championship Game: Late May

League	Year Active	Season Start	Season End	Teams	Games Per Team
UFL	2024	March 30	June 1	8	10
XFL	2023	February 18	May 13	8	10
USFL	2023	April 15	July 2	8	10
AAF	2019	February 9	April 2	8	8
XFL	2020	February 8	March 21	8	5

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that most spring football leagues begin between February and April, with the UFL and XFL starting earliest. The 2023 USFL began later due to its split-season format. The collapse of the AAF mid-season highlights instability in early spring leagues, while the 2024 UFL merger aims for long-term viability by consolidating resources and streamlining schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spring Football

When does UFL spring football start in 2025?

The UFL has not yet released its official 2025 schedule, but based on 2024 patterns, the season is expected to begin in late March 2025, with training camps opening in early March.

Do NCAA teams play real games in spring football?

No, NCAA spring football consists of non-competitive practices and one intra-squad scrimmage called the "spring game," usually held in April. These games do not count toward standings and prioritize player development.

Why did past spring football leagues fail?

Leagues like the AAF (2019) and XFL (2020) failed due to financial mismanagement, lack of television revenue, and insufficient fan engagement. The 2024 UFL merger aims to fix these issues by reducing costs and improving broadcast partnerships.

How many teams are in the UFL in 2025?

As of the 2024 season, the UFL has 8 teams (4 former USFL, 4 former XFL). While no changes have been announced for 2025, expansion is possible depending on 2024 viewership and profitability.

Is spring football replacing the NFL?

No, spring football complements rather than replaces the NFL. It serves as a developmental platform for players, coaches, and referees, offering opportunities for those outside the NFL spotlight while filling the sports calendar gap before summer.