When Is the Senior Bowl in 2025? Date, Time & How to Watch

By Sarah Miller · April 22, 2028

The Senior Bowl takes place annually in late January, serving as the premier college football all-star game and a key event for NFL Draft prospects. In 2025, the game is scheduled for Saturday, January 25 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, kicking off at 4:00 PM ET and broadcast on NFL Network.

What Is the Senior Bowl?

The Senior Bowl is the nation's oldest and most prestigious postseason college football all-star game. It features top senior-level players and select underclassmen who have exhausted their eligibility, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives.

Key Objectives of the Senior Bowl

Evaluate top NFL Draft prospects in practices and game settings
Allow NFL teams hands-on access during interviews and medical evaluations
Showcase player athleticism, intelligence, and character
Help determine draft stock and potential rookie contracts

2025 Senior Bowl Date and Logistics

The 2025 edition marks the 76th annual Senior Bowl game. It will be played on January 25, 2025, following a week of intense practices, team meetings, and player evaluations.

Event Schedule Overview

January 20: Player arrivals and media day
January 21–24: Team practices (North vs. South squads)
January 25: Senior Bowl Game (4:00 PM ET)
Venue: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL
Broadcast: NFL Network, live streaming via NFL+ app

Why the Senior Bowl Matters for the NFL Draft

NFL teams use the Senior Bowl as a critical evaluation tool. Unlike regular season games, this event allows scouts to observe players in controlled drills, positional workouts, and full-team practices under professional coaching staffs.

Benefits for Players

Direct exposure to all 32 NFL teams
Opportunity to improve draft position through strong performance
Interviews with general managers and head coaches
Medical examinations through the NFL Combine preliminary process

Recent Senior Bowl Impact on NFL Draft Picks

Performance at the Senior Bowl often influences where players are selected in the NFL Draft. Many undrafted or mid-round projections have elevated their status after standout weeks in Mobile.

Year	Player	Position	College	Senior Bowl Team	NFL Draft Pick
2024	Jalin Hyatt	WR	Tennessee	South	3rd Round (NYG)
2023	Paris Johnson Jr.	OT	Ohio State	North	6th Overall (ARI)
2022	Kyle Hamilton	S	Notre Dame	South	14th Overall (BAL)
2021	Zaven Collins	LB	Tulsa	North	16th Overall (ARI)
2020	Jedrick Wills	OT	Alabama	South	7th Overall (CLE)

Table data source:1, 2

The table illustrates how strong Senior Bowl performances correlate with high draft selections. For example, Paris Johnson Jr. and Jedrick Wills both solidified their status as top-10 picks through dominant practice weeks. Scouts value consistency, technique refinement, and coachability—traits best observed during the Senior Bowl’s structured environment.

How Players Are Selected

Invitations are extended by a selection committee in collaboration with NFL personnel. While primarily for seniors, exceptional juniors who declare early may also participate.

Selection Criteria Include

On-field performance during college season
Pro potential and positional value
Injury history and medical outlook
Character, work ethic, and interview performance

Frequently Asked Questions About the Senior Bowl

When is the Senior Bowl game in 2025?

The 2025 Senior Bowl game is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

Where is the Senior Bowl played?

The game is held annually at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.

How can I watch the Senior Bowl?

The Senior Bowl is broadcast live on NFL Network. International viewers and cord-cutters can stream it via the NFL+ app or NFL website with authentication.

Which NFL teams participate in the Senior Bowl?

No NFL teams play in the game, but all 32 franchises send scouts, coaches, and executives to evaluate talent. Two NFL assistant coaching staffs are assigned each year to lead the North and South teams.

Has the Senior Bowl date changed over the years?

Historically held in late January, the Senior Bowl consistently takes place one week after the College Football National Championship, positioning it as a kickoff to the NFL pre-draft process. The 2025 date follows this long-standing tradition.

Do underclassmen play in the Senior Bowl?

Yes, although it's primarily for graduating seniors, eligible underclassmen who have declared for the NFL Draft may receive invitations if they meet performance and academic criteria.