The 2025 NFL season is almost here, and football fans everywhere are counting down to kickoff, with the action officially beginning on Thursday, September 4.
From AFC West fireworks in São Paulo to the league’s long-awaited debut in Dublin, the upcoming season is packed with must-watch matchups and global stops that go far beyond the opening snap.
With Super Bowl contenders reloading and young quarterbacks ready to break out, there’s no shortage of intrigue heading into Week 1. Here are the key dates every NFL fan should have circled on their calendar.
July 31: Hall of Fame Game, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Detroit Lions, Canton, Ohio
The NFL preseason kicks off in Canton, Ohio, with the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions facing off in the annual Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Stadium. It’s a low-stakes, high-visibility showcase for backups and roster hopefuls as the league celebrates its newest Hall of Fame class.
This year’s inductees include Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe.
Aug. 26: Rosters must be cut to 53 players
NFL rosters are required to be trimmed from 90 to 53 players by 4:00 p.m. ET.
It's a tough day across the league as veterans, rookies, and camp standouts battle for a final spot on the Week 1 depth chart. Expect waiver activity and practice squad signings to follow in the hours after the deadline.
Sept. 4-5, 7-8: Kickoff Weekend presented by YouTube TV
The 2025 regular season officially begins with a four-day slate across Thursday, Sunday, and Monday. It’s the first look at full-strength lineups and new coaching staffs, and the best part is that bettors can already lock in their NFL picks.
Sept. 5: NFL International Game at Corinthians Arena (São Paulo)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The NFL returns to Brazil in 2025 with the Chargers serving as the designated home team for an AFC West showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo — the same venue that hosted the league’s South American debut in 2024.
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Sept. 28: NFL International Game at Croke Park (Dublin)
Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The NFL makes history on Sunday, September 28, when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin in the league’s first-ever regular-season game in Ireland.
Oct. 5: NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)
Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns will host the Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking Minnesota’s second straight week of international play following their debut in Dublin. Kickoff is set for 9:30 a.m. ET, and the game will air on NFL Network.
This will be Cleveland’s first regular-season game in London since a 2017 matchup against Minnesota at Twickenham Stadium.
Oct. 12: NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
The New York Jets and Denver Broncos square off in a Week 6 NFL International Series matchup, also at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Like with Minnesota vs. Cleveland, this game is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network.
This will mark the third regular-season appearance at Tottenham in five seasons for the Jets, while the Broncos are making their return to London for the first time since 2022.
Oct. 19: NFL International Game at Wembley Stadium (London)
Los Angeles Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars
Iconic Wembley Stadium plays host to the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars in this Week 7 showdown, continuing London’s role as the centerpiece of the NFL’s global expansion. Kickoff is at 9:30 a.m. ET, also on NFL Network.
It will be the 11th International Series appearance for the Jags, while the Rams will be playing on European soil for the first time since 2019.
Nov. 4: NFL Trade Deadline
All trading ends for 2025 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Teams have until 4:00 p.m. ET to finalize all trades. It's the last opportunity for franchises to beef up personnel or offload assets before the playoff push. Look for movement from contenders and potential fire sales from pretenders.
Nov. 9: NFL International Game at Olympic Stadium (Berlin)
Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons will play at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium in a Week 10 showdown scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on the NFL Network. This will be the first "home game" for Indianapolis in Europe.
This will also be the first game in Germany for Atlanta, while Indy played at Frankfurt Stadium in 2023.
Nov. 16: NFL International Game at Bernabéu Stadium (Madrid)
Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins
Spain will play host to its first NFL regular-season game, with the Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins going head-to-head at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid at 9:30 a.m. ET on the NFL Network.
Bernabéu Stadium is a world-renowned football venue and home to Real Madrid.
Jan. 4: Final Games of the Regular Season
Week 18 concludes with playoff spots and seeding on the line. Flex scheduling will ensure maximum drama on the regular season's final Sunday, with Wild Card Weekend matchups taking shape within hours of the final whistle.
Jan. 10-12: Wild Card Weekend powered by Verizon
Six games across three days kick-start the 2025 NFL Playoffs. The league’s top seeds rest, while the other contenders face win-or-go-home games in the opening round.
There wasn’t any disappointment in 2024, either.
The Houston Texans started the action by running over the Chargers, while the Rams beat up on the Vikings to bookend the weekend with a pair of upsets.
Jan. 17-18: Divisional Playoffs presented by Intuit TurboTax
The top two seeds return to action, hosting a pair of Wild Card winners in a stacked weekend of must-watch games.
While the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles took care of business and advanced as No. 1 seeds in 2024, neither covered the spread. Additionally, the Commanders pulled off a monster upset over the Lions, while the Buffalo Bills topped the Baltimore Ravens as a slight underdog.
Jan. 25: AFC and NFC Championship Games presented by Intuit TurboTax
The AFC and NFC Championship Games determine who will advance to Super Bowl LX.
Oddsmakers had the 2024 AFC and NFC Championships Games pegged right, with the No. 1 seeds from each conference advancing.
We’ll have to wait and see what’s in store for the Conference Championship in 2025.
TBD: 2026 Pro Bowl Games
The 2026 Pro Bowl Games have not yet been assigned a location or exact date, but NFL insiders have confirmed the league will continue the revamped format featuring multi-day skills competitions plus a non-contact flag football finale — similar to recent years hosted in Orlando and Las Vegas.
Feb. 8: Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium
The 2025 NFL season wraps up with Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It’s the league’s biggest stage, and the two top teams will battle it out for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The Eagles topped the Chiefs last February, and the two teams are joined by the Ravens, Bills, and Lions are the consensus betting favorites in the Super Bowl LX odds ahead of the 2025 regular season.
