2024-25 NFL Key Dates: Your Guide to the Season

The 2024-25 NFL season is on the horizon, and for ardent fans, every date on the calendar is a countdown. To ensure you’re ahead of the game, here’s a comprehensive guide to all the crucial NFL dates, from preseason showdowns to the grand spectacle of Super Bowl LIX.

Page Contents

August: Kicking Off the Excitement

The NFL season roars to life in August, commencing with the Hall of Fame Game and culminating in roster finalizations.

August 1st: The Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears clash in the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, setting the stage for the season ahead.
August 1st-4th: Canton, Ohio, transforms into a football haven as it hosts the annual Hall of Fame Weekend, honoring the legends of the game.
August 6th: This date marks a crucial deadline for drafted rookies. If they haven’t signed with their respective clubs, trading becomes off-limits for the entire 2024 season.
August 8th-11th: The first preseason weekend kicks off, giving fans a glimpse of their favorite teams in action.
August 15th-18th: The second preseason weekend unfolds, offering teams a chance to refine their strategies.
August 22nd-25th: The third and final preseason weekend arrives, marking the last opportunity for players to make an impression before roster cuts.
August 27th: A pivotal day for teams as they make critical roster decisions, trimming their lineups down to a maximum of 53 players.
August 28th: The waiver wire heats up as teams finalize their rosters, providing opportunities for players to find new homes.

September: The Regular Season Begins

September marks the official start of the regular season, bringing the excitement of NFL football back to stadiums and living rooms across the globe.

September 1st: Preseason training camp concludes, signaling the transition to the regular season.
September 2nd-7th: Teams are mandated to submit their first injury reports, keeping fans informed about player health and availability.
September 5th, 6th, 8th-9th: The first week of the regular season kicks off, packed with electrifying matchups and the promise of a thrilling season.
September 6th: The international stage takes center stage as the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles face off at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil.
September 27th, 30th, October 1st: Teams are permitted to start practicing players placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform and Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness lists.

October: International Games and League Meetings

October brings a blend of high-stakes games and crucial league discussions, shaping the course of the season.

October 6th: The NFL returns to London, with the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings battling it out at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
October 13th: London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosts another international game, this time featuring the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Chicago Bears.
October 15th: The deadline for players seeking to claim the 2024 Injury Protection benefit.
October 15th-16th: Key decision-makers converge in Atlanta, Georgia for the Fall League Meeting, addressing critical league matters.
October 20th: The iconic Wembley Stadium in London welcomes the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars for another thrilling international showdown.

November: Trade Deadline and Roster Adjustments

November marks a pivotal point in the season, with the trade deadline prompting teams to make strategic moves.

November 5th: The trade deadline arrives at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, marking the last opportunity for teams to bolster their rosters for a playoff push.
November 6th: Veteran players with four or more pension-credited seasons become subject to the waiver system, adding another layer of intrigue to roster management.
November 10th: The international spotlight shifts to Munich, Germany, as the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers clash at Allianz Arena, home of FC Bayern Munich.
November 12th: A critical deadline for Franchise and Transition Players, as they must be signed by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time to be eligible to play in 2024.

December: Looking Ahead to the Postseason

December sees the regular season nearing its end, with playoff implications hanging heavy in the air.

December 10th-11th: The Special League Meeting and Front Office Accelerator take place in Irving, Texas, fostering discussions and development within the league.

January 2025: Playoffs and the Road to the Super Bowl

The new year ushers in the playoffs, with the league’s elite teams vying for a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

January 6th: The signing window for free agents for the 2025 season opens, offering teams a chance to reshape their rosters.
January 8th: Playoff-bound teams see their rosters frozen, with limited exceptions.
January 11th-13th: The Super Wild Card Weekend kicks off the playoffs, featuring high-stakes matchups with the season on the line.
Mid-January: The deadline for eligible college underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft.
January 18th-19th: The Divisional Playoff Games, narrowing down the field as the intensity reaches a fever pitch.
January 20th: College football crowns its champion at the NCAA National Championship Game in Atlanta, Georgia.
January 26th: The AFC and NFC Championship Games determine the two teams that will clash in the Super Bowl.
January 30th: The East-West Shrine Bowl showcases some of the nation’s top college prospects.

February 2025: Super Bowl LIX and the Scouting Combine

February culminates with the Super Bowl, the pinnacle of the NFL season, while also offering a glimpse into the future at the NFL Scouting Combine.

February 1st: The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, provides another platform for draft prospects to impress NFL scouts.
February 2nd: The Pro Bowl Games showcase the league’s star players in a revamped format.
February 9th: Super Bowl LIX takes center stage at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, the culmination of months of competition and the dream of every NFL player.
February 18th: The Franchise or Transition Player designation window opens, prompting strategic decisions from teams.
February 24th-March 3rd: The NFL Scouting Combine takes over Indianapolis, Indiana, as draft prospects undergo rigorous physical and mental evaluations.

March 2025: Free Agency and the New League Year

March marks the start of the new league year, bringing with it the frenzy of free agency and the NFL Draft.

March 4th: The deadline for teams to designate Franchise or Transition Players arrives.
March 10th-12th: The NFL’s negotiation period begins, with teams and agents engaging in contract talks ahead of the free agency frenzy.
March 12th: Free agency officially begins, with players free to sign with new teams and reshape the landscape of the NFL.
March 30th-April 2nd: The Annual League Meeting takes place in Palm Beach, Florida, setting the stage for the upcoming season.

April 2025: The NFL Draft and Offseason Programs

April sees the arrival of the NFL Draft, where teams infuse their rosters with young talent, and the start of offseason workout programs.

April 7th: Teams with new head coaches gain a head start on their offseason programs.
April 24th-26th: The NFL Draft takes center stage in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as teams select the future stars of the league.

May 2025: Rookie Minicamps and Spring Meetings

May marks the beginning of rookie minicamps, offering a first look at the newest members of NFL teams.

May 2nd-5th & May 9th-12th: Teams hold their post-draft rookie minicamps, welcoming the next generation of players.

This comprehensive guide ensures you stay ahead of all the critical dates for the 2024-25 NFL season. From the preseason kickoff to the crowning of the Super Bowl champion, this promises to be another unforgettable season in the NFL.