NFL Schedule 2025: Everything You Need to Know
The 2025 NFL schedule is officially out, and fans can’t wait to circle the biggest matchups. This season spans 18 weeks, with each of the 32 teams playing 17 regular season games and enjoying one bye week. J
Key Dates & Format
- Kickoff Game: The season opened on September 4, 2025, with the defending champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, hosting the Dallas Cowboys.
- Regular Season End: The regular slate concludes on January 4, 2026, with all Week 18 games currently listed as TBD (time).
- Playoffs begin shortly after, and the Super Bowl LX is scheduled for early February 2026.
Each team will face:
- Their 3 division rivals twice (home + away)
- Four teams from another division in their conference
- Four teams from a division in the opposite conference
- Two additional intra-conference opponents based on the previous year’s standings
- One inter-conference opponent matched by division finish
This formula keeps the league balanced while rewarding performance from the prior season.
Expanded International Schedule
2025 brings one of the most ambitious international footprints in NFL history. The league has scheduled seven regular season games overseas.
Highlights:
- The season’s second game was a Brazil match: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo.
- Cities like London, Madrid, and Dublin are hosting marquee games, further expanding the NFL’s global reach.
These international games double as high-exposure events for new markets and bring fresh challenges of travel, fan engagement, and logistics.
Notable points in Nfl schedule 2025
- Week 6 Changes: A few kickoff times were swapped—San Francisco vs. Tampa Bay moved to 4:25 ET and the New England–New Orleans game swapped slots but remained on CBS.
- Week 17 Adjustments: To ease Christmas week conflicts, some games may shift to Saturday, December 27, or Sunday/Monday slots.
- Week 18 TBD: Final games often depend on playoff implications. Games may move to Saturday or prime slots on Sunday.
Strength of Schedule Matters
One of the more talked-about storylines: strength of schedule for 2025.
- The New York Giants hold the toughest schedule with a combined opponent win percentage of .574 (from 2024)
- On the lighter side, the San Francisco 49ers benefit from one of the softest schedules at .415 combined opponent success rate.
These metrics can influence playoff paths, underdog upsets, and tie-breaking scenarios down the line.
Must-Watch Games & Rivalries
While every team has key contests, a few stand out:
- International Matchups: London, Madrid, Dublin — the NFL is going global.
- Divisional Battles: The Eagles vs. Cowboys opening is an instant rivalry rematch.
- Prime Time Lights: Monday Night Football, Thursday showdowns, and Sunday Night games will highlight the stars.
- Christmas Matchups: With Dec 25 falling on a Thursday, multiple games will be played that day for the first time since schedule expansion.
What This Means for Fans & Teams
- Strategic Rest & Travel: Teams playing overseas must manage jet lag and recovery.
- Playoff Positioning: Schedule strength can tilt matchups late in the season.
- Viewer Attention: Global games and prime slots help the NFL grow its international audience.
- Flexibility for Finals: With Week 18 still TBD, the league can adapt to playoff scenarios.