The 2025-2026 NFL season started on Thursday, Sept. 4 with a divisional rival game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. This is the first game of the season, and it features the Eagles, who won last year’s Super Bowl. The game was highly anticipated not only because it’s a divisional game, but also because both teams have exciting new rookies.
This season, every NFL team will play 17 games over an 18-week schedule, so that each team gets their much-deserved rest week. The week that they get off is called a “bye week.” Most of the final games will be against division rivals, which often makes them more exciting and important.
Before the regular season begins, fans got a preview during preseason games, including the special Hall of Fame Game on July 31. Preseason lets teams evaluate younger players and get ready for the real games.
One big change this year is the number of games being played in other countries. The NFL is having seven international games in Brazil, Germany, the UK, Spain, and Ireland. This is part of the league’s plan to grow its fan base around the world.
Some special days to look forward to are the Thanksgiving Day games on Nov. 27, and the Christmas Day games on Dec. 25. These games are popular with fans and have become holiday traditions.
The playoffs will eventually begin with Wild Card Weekend from Jan. 10 to Jan. 12, leading up to Super Bowl LX. This year’s Super Bowl will be held on Feb. 8, at Levi’s Stadium in California, home to the San Francisco 49ers.
With exciting matchups, international games, and rising young stars, the 2025-2026 NFL season is expected to be full of competitiveness and excitement. Fans all over the world are ready to cheer on their teams from opening night, all the way to the Super Bowl.
