Here is an overview of important NFL dates for the 2025 league year. All times are Eastern and all dates are subject to change.
| 2025–2026 Important NFL Dates | |
| June | |
| June 2 |
Deadline for prior club to send “June 1 Tender” to its unsigned restricted free agents who received a qualifying offer for a right of first refusal only for such player to be subject to the CBA’s “June 15 Tender” provision. |
| June 16 |
Deadline for club to withdraw higher qualifying offer to restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting lower “June 15 Tender” of one-year contract at 110 percent of the player’s prior-year Paragraph 5 Salary (with all other terms of his prior-year contract carried forward unchanged). |
| Late June | Rookie Readiness Program to be held at individual clubs. |
| July | |
| July 15 | At 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multi-year contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one- year contract with his prior club for the 2025 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game. |
| Mid-July |
Clubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies (defined as a player who has never signed an NFL player contract with a club in a prior league year) beginning seven days prior to the club’s mandatory reporting date for veteran players.
Clubs may require first-year players (defined as a player who signed an NFL player contract with any club in a prior league year, but who does not have a pension-credited season) to report on the designated reporting date for all rookies, or at any time thereafter, including, but not limited to, the designated reporting date for veteran quarterbacks and injured players, or the designated reporting date for all other veteran players.
Veteran quarterbacks and “injured players” (as defined in CBA Article 21, Section 6) may be required to report to the club’s preseason training camp no earlier than five days immediately prior to the mandatory reporting date for all other veteran players, provided the club has already opened (or simultaneously opens) its official preseason training camp for all rookies. |
| July 22 |
At 4:00 p.m. ET, signing period ends for Transition Players with outstanding tenders.
After this date and until 4:00 p.m. ET, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.
At 4:00 p.m. ET, on July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later) signing period ends for unrestricted free agents to whom a “UFA Tender” was made by prior club. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., ET, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights. |
| July 31 | Hall of Fame Game, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Detroit Lions, Canton, Ohio. |
|
August |
|
| Aug. 5 |
If a drafted rookie has not signed with his club by this date, he cannot be traded to any other club in 2025 and may sign a player contract only with the drafting club until the day of the Draft in the 2026 League Year. |
| Aug. 7-10 |
First Preseason Weekend. |
| Aug. 15-18 |
Second Preseason Weekend. |
| Aug. 21-23 |
Third Preseason Weekend. |
| Aug. 26 |
Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List.
Simultaneously with the roster reduction to 53 players, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness must select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non- Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; terminate or request waivers with the designation of Failed Physical or Non-Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active List.
Clubs are permitted to designate for return a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List during the business day of the final roster reduction. Any such player will immediately count against the club’s number of designations, even if the player does not subsequently return to practice.
Players who are on the Reserve List or Exempt List and are not counting against the 90-player limit will begin to count against the 90-player limit. |
| Aug. 27 |
Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at 12:00 noon ET.
Upon receipt of the subsequent Personnel Notice, clubs may establish a Practice Squad of 17 players, as long as one player qualifies and is designated as an International Player. No club, including the player’s prior club, will be permitted to sign a player to a practice player contract until all clubs have received simultaneous notification via the above Personnel Notice that such player’s prior NFL player contract has been terminated via the waiver system.
Beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET, any player placed on Reserve/Injured, Reserve/Non- Football Injury or Illness, or Practice Squad; Injured during the regular season or postseason, may be designated for return later in the season, subject to the applicable procedures. |
| Aug. 31 |
Final day of preseason training camp for all clubs, as defined in CBA Article 23, Section 10. |
|
September |
|
| Sept. 1-6 |
In accordance with the Personnel (Injury) Report Policy, each club is required to file a Practice Report by 4:00 p.m. ET, (or as soon as possible after the completion of practice) every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for a regular season Monday game; Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday for a Wednesday game; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for a Thursday game; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for a Friday game; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for a Saturday game; and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for a Sunday game.
Each club must also file a weekly regular season Game Status Report by 4:00 p.m., ET (or as soon as possible after the completion of practice) on Saturday for a Monday game; Tuesday for a Wednesday game; Wednesday for a Thursday game, Thursday for a Friday game, Thursday for a Saturday game, and Friday for a Sunday game. An update must be reported if there is any change in a player's condition after the initial Game Status Report is filed. |
| Sept. 4-5, 7-8 |
Kickoff Weekend presented by YouTube TV. |
| Sept. 5 |
NFL International Game at Corinthians Arena (São Paulo) Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers |
| Sept. 23 |
Beginning on the day after the completion of the third regular season weekend, the claiming priority will be based on current standings, and ties will be broken based on current strength-of- schedule of the involved clubs. If ties still exist, they will be broken by strength-of-victory, point differential, and then by lot. |
|
Sept. 26, 29-30 |
Beginning on the day after a club’s fourth regular season game (including any bye week), it is permitted to begin practicing players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform and Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness (if the player failed his preseason physical due to a non- football injury or illness) for a period not to exceed 21 days. Players may be activated during the 21-day practice period, or prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, on the day after the conclusion of the 21-day period. |
|
Sept. 28 |
NFL International Game at Croke Park (Dublin) |
| October | |
|
Oct. 5 |
NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns |
|
Oct. 12 |
NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets |
|
Oct. 19 |
NFL International Game at Wembley Stadium (London, United Kingdom) Los Angeles Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars |
|
Oct. 21-22 |
Fall League Meeting (New York) |
| November | |
|
Nov. 4 |
All trading ends for 2025 at 4:00 p.m. ET. |
|
Nov. 5 |
Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons are subject to the waiver system for the remainder of the regular season and postseason. |
|
Nov. 9 |
NFL International Game at Olympic Stadium (Berlin) Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts |
|
Nov. 11 |
At 4:00 p.m. ET, signing period ends for Franchise Players who are eligible to receive offer sheets.
Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to sign their unsigned Franchise and Transition Players, including Franchise Players who were eligible to receive offer sheets until this date. If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2025.
Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to sign their unrestricted free agents to whom the “UFA Tender” was made. If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2025.
Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to sign their restricted free agents, including those to whom the “June 1 Tender” was made. If such players remain unsigned after this date, they are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2025. |
|
Nov. 16 |
NFL International Game at Bernabéu Stadium (Madrid, Spain) Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins |
| December | |
|
Dec. 9-10 |
Special League Meeting (Virtual). |
| January 2026 | |
|
Jan. 3-4 |
Week 18. |
|
Jan. 5 |
Clubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2026 season, including players from the CFL.
Earliest permissible date for clubs to renegotiate or extend the rookie contract of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2023 NFL Draft or any undrafted rookie who signed in 2024. Any permissible renegotiated or extended player contract will not be considered a rookie contract and will not be subject to the rules that limit rookie contracts.
Clubs may exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Early deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A preliminary list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2026 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on Jan. 6. (Tentative) |
|
Jan. 7 |
Beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET, on the Wednesday following the final regular season weekend, rosters are frozen for clubs participating in the postseason with limited exceptions. |
|
Jan. 10-12 |
Wild Card Weekend powered by Verizon. |
|
Jan. 14 (Tentative) |
Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2026 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 15. |
|
Jan. 17-18 |
Divisional Playoffs presented by Intuit TurboTax. |
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Jan. 23 (Tentative) |
Deadline for college players who played in the National Championship game who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A final list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2026 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 24. |
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Jan. 25 |
AFC and NFC Championship Games presented by Intuit TurboTax. |
| February 2026 | |
|
Feb. 8 |
Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California). |
|
Feb. 17 |
Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m. ET on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players. |
|
Feb. 23–March 2 |
NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis). |
| March 2026 | |
|
March 3 |
Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players. |
|
March 9-11 |
During the period beginning at 12:00 noon ET, on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2025 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET, on March 11.
During the two-day negotiation period prior to the start of the 2026 League Year, each club may conduct one video or phone call for no longer than one hour with no more than five (5) prospective unrestricted free agents. The player’s agent must be a participant of the call.
No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET, on March 11. |
|
March 11 |
The 2026 League Year and free agency signing period begins at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Trading period for 2026 begins at 4:00 p.m. ET, after expiration of all 2025 contracts.
The first day of the 2026 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m. ET, and 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11. |
|
March 29–April 1
|
Annual League Meeting (Phoenix, Arizona) |
| April 2026 | |
|
April 6 |
Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2025 regular season may begin offseason workout programs. |
|
April 15 |
Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with a draft- eligible player at its club facility. |
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April 17 |
Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets. |
|
April 20 |
Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs. |
|
April 22 |
Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location. |
|
April 23-25 |
NFL Draft (Pittsburgh). |
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