When Does Football Season Start? Key Dates by League

By Sarah Miller · July 23, 2050

The football season start dates vary by league and region, but in most major leagues like the English Premier League and NFL, the season typically begins in August or September and runs through May or January respectively.

When Does the Football Season Start?

Football seasons differ globally based on league structure, climate, and competition format. The start date depends heavily on whether you're referring to European association football (soccer), American football (NFL), college football, or other regional leagues.

Key Football Leagues and Their Season Start Dates

Premier League (England): Starts in mid-August
La Liga (Spain): Begins in late August
Bundesliga (Germany): Typically kicks off in mid-August
NFL (USA): Regular season starts in early September
NCAA College Football (USA): Begins in early September
AFC Champions League: Usually starts in February

European Club Football Seasons

Most top-tier European leagues follow a similar calendar, beginning in August and concluding in May to avoid summer heat and accommodate international tournaments.

Why Do European Leagues Start in August?

Allows players post-summer break recovery
Aligns with UEFA competition schedules (Champions League, Europa League)
Provides time for pre-season training and friendlies
Avoids clashing with major international breaks

American Football Season Schedule

In contrast, American football operates on a different timeline due to weather and tradition.

NFL Season Timeline

Preseason: Early August
Regular Season: First Thursday in September
Playoffs: January
Super Bowl: Early February

College Football Schedule

NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) begins its regular season in early September, with select games played on Labor Day weekend. The College Football Playoff culminates in early January.

League	Country	Season Start	Season End	Games per Season
English Premier League	England	August 16	May 25	38
La Liga	Spain	August 23	May 24	38
Bundesliga	Germany	August 15	May 17	34
Serie A	Italy	August 17	May 25	38
Ligue 1	France	August 16	May 24	38
NFL	USA	September 5	January 5	17
NCAA FBS	USA	August 30	January 10	12–14+
A-League Men	Australia	October 18	May 11	27

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

The data shows that Northern Hemisphere leagues predominantly begin in August, while Southern Hemisphere leagues like Australia's A-League start later due to seasonal differences. NFL teams play fewer games but have higher physical intensity, influencing their shorter schedule.

European leagues feature longer seasons with more matches, reflecting the global popularity of association football and extensive domestic cup competitions.

Common Questions About Football Season Start Dates

When does the Premier League season start in 2025?

The 2025–26 Premier League season is scheduled to begin on Saturday, August 16, 2025, following the traditional mid-August kickoff after summer break.

What month does NFL season start?

The NFL regular season typically starts in early September, with the 2025 kickoff game expected on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Why do soccer seasons cross over two years?

European soccer seasons run from August to May, spanning two calendar years. This is why they are labeled as "2024–25" seasons, reflecting both the starting and ending years.

Does football season start at the same time worldwide?

No, football seasons vary globally. While most European leagues start in August, leagues in countries like Australia (A-League) begin in October due to opposite seasonal patterns.

How long is a typical football season?

A European top-flight season lasts about 9 months (August–May), while the NFL regular season spans 18 weeks from September to January, not including playoffs.