{"id":6381,"date":"2025-09-17T09:38:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T13:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/?p=6381"},"modified":"2026-09-30T10:00:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T14:00:56","slug":"nfl-calendar-2025-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/nfl-calendar-2025-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Calendar 2026- 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

NFL Calendar 2026-2027<\/h3>\n<\/header>\n
\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

September 9-10, 13- 14<\/strong><\/p>\n

NFL Kickoff Weekend<\/strong><\/p>\n

September 10<\/p>\n

NFL International Game at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne, Australia).
\nSan Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n

September 27<\/p>\n

NFL International Game at Maracan\u00e3 Stadium (Rio De Janeiro, Brazil).
\nBaltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n

September 29<\/p>\n

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-ofschedule of the involved clubs. If ties still exist, they will be broken by strength-of-victory, point differential, and then by lot.<\/p>\n

October 2, 5-6<\/p>\n

Beginning on the day after a club\u2019s fourth regular season game (including any bye week), it is permitted to activate players on Reserve\/Physically Unable to Perform and Reserve\/NonFootball Injury or Illness (if the player failed his preseason physical due to a non-football injury or illness) prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time.<\/p>\n

October 4<\/p>\n

NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium presented by NetApp (London, United Kingdom).
\nIndianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders<\/p>\n

October 11<\/p>\n

NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium presented by NetApp (London, United Kingdom).
\nPhiladelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n

October 18<\/p>\n

NFL International Game at Wembley Stadium presented by NetApp (London, United Kingdom).
\nHouston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n

October 20-21<\/p>\n

Fall League Meeting (New York, New York)<\/p>\n

October 25<\/p>\n

NFL International Game at Stade de France presented by American Express (Paris, France).
\nPittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints<\/p>\n

November 8<\/p>\n

NFL International Game at Bernab\u00e9u Stadium presented by NetApp (Madrid, Spain).
\nCincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n

November 9<\/p>\n

Any increase in a player\u2019s 2026 salary from a renegotiation or extension that is received by the Management Council after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on this day, will be treated as signing bonus, and prorated over the entire term of the player contract, including 2026.<\/p>\n

November 10<\/h4>\n

All trading ends for 2026 at 4:00 p.m., New York time.<\/h4>\n

November 11<\/p>\n

Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons are subject to the waiver system for the remainder of the regular season and postseason.<\/p>\n

November 15<\/p>\n

NFL International Game at FC Bayern Munich Arena (Munich, Germany)
\nNew England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions<\/p>\n

November 17<\/p>\n

At 4:00 p.m., New York time, signing period ends for Franchise Players who are eligible to receive offer sheets.<\/p>\n

Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, 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 2026.<\/p>\n

Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to sign their unrestricted free agents to whom the \u201cUFA Tender\u201d was made. If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2026.<\/p>\n

Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to sign their restricted free agents, including those to whom the \u201cJune 1 Tender\u201d was made. If such players remain unsigned after this date, they are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2026.<\/p>\n

November 22<\/p>\n

NFL International Game at Estadio Banorte (Mexico City, Mexico).
\nMinnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers<\/p>\n

December 9<\/p>\n

Special League Meeting (Virtual)<\/p>\n

2027<\/h4>\n

January 6 (tentative)<\/strong>
\nEarly 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 2027 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 7.<\/p>\n

January 9-10
\nWeek 18 \u2013 Final NFL Weekend<\/h4>\n

January 11<\/p>\n

During the period beginning the Monday following the final regular season weekend through the conclusion of the final postseason game, assignments of player contracts will be deferred until the first business day after the Super Bowl. Terminations of player contracts will occur at the expiration of the claiming period.<\/p>\n

A club that is participating in the playoffs may sign players whose contracts have been terminated to its Active\/Inactive List, Practice Squad (if applicable), or Reserve\/Future List. A club whose playing season has concluded may sign such players to its Reserve\/Future List only.<\/p>\n

Clubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2027 season, including players from the CFL.<\/p>\n

Earliest permissible date for clubs to renegotiate or extend the rookie contract of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2024 NFL Draft or any undrafted rookie who signed in 2025. 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.<\/p>\n

Clubs may exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

January 13<\/p>\n

Beginning at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Wednesday following the final regular season weekend, rosters are frozen for clubs participating in the postseason with limited exceptions.<\/p>\n

January 13 (tentative)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2027 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 14.<\/strong><\/p>\n

January 16-18
\nWild Card Weekend<\/em><\/h4>\n

January 23-24
\nDivisional Playoffs<\/em><\/h4>\n

January 29 (tentative)<\/p>\n

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 2027 NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 30.<\/p>\n

January 30<\/h4>\n

The Panini Senior Bowl \u2013\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Saturday, Jan 30 \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Kickoff:<\/strong> 1:30pm CT
\nMobile, Al. \u2013 University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium<\/h4>\n

January 31
\nAFC and NFC Championship Games<\/h4>\n

February 14
\nSuper Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California).<\/h4>\n

February 17<\/p>\n

Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m., New York time on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.<\/p>\n

\u00a0March 1-8
\nNFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana).<\/h4>\n

March 3<\/p>\n

Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.<\/p>\n

March 9-11<\/h4>\n

During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, 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 2026 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 11.<\/p>\n

During the two-day negotiation period prior to the start of the 2027 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\u2019s agent must be a participant of the call.<\/p>\n

No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 11.<\/p>\n

The 2027 League Year and free agency signing period begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time.<\/em><\/h4>\n

March 11
\nTrading period for 2027 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2026 contracts.<\/h4>\n

The first day of the 2027 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, 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., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 11.<\/p>\n

March 21-24<\/p>\n

Annual League Meeting (Phoenix, Arizona)<\/p>\n

April 5<\/p>\n

Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2026 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.<\/p>\n

April 19<\/p>\n

Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.<\/p>\n

April 21<\/p>\n

Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with a drafteligible player at its club facility.<\/p>\n

April 23<\/p>\n

Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.<\/p>\n

April 28<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

April 29 \u2013 May 1
\nNFL Draft 2027 \u2013 Washington, D.C.<\/h3>\n

May 17
\nRookie Football Development Programs begin<\/p>\n

May 25-26
\nSpring League Meeting (Las Colinas, Texas)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

2025\u20132026 Important NFL Dates\"\"<\/h3>\n

September
\nSept. 1-6<\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Sept. 4-5, 7-8 – Kickoff Weekend
\nSept. 5
\nNFL International Game at Corinthians Arena (S\u00e3o Paulo)
\nKansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers<\/h4>\n

Sept. 23<\/strong>
\nBeginning 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.<\/p>\n

Sept. 26, 29-30<\/strong>
\nBeginning on the day after a club\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Sept. 28<\/strong>
\nNFL International Game at Croke Park (Dublin, Ireland)
\nMinnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n

October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oct. 5<\/strong>
\nNFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)
\nMinnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n

Oct. 12<\/strong>
\nNFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)
\nDenver Broncos vs. New York Jets<\/p>\n

Oct. 19<\/strong>
\nNFL International Game at Wembley Stadium (London)
\nLos Angeles Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n

Oct. 21-22<\/strong>
\nFall League Meeting (New York)<\/p>\n

November<\/h4>\n

Nov. 4
\nAll trading ends for 2025 at 4:00 p.m. ET.<\/h4>\n

Nov. 5<\/strong>
\nPlayers with at least four previous pension-credited seasons are subject to the waiver system for the remainder of the regular season and postseason.<\/p>\n

Nov. 9<\/strong>
\nNFL International Game at Olympic Stadium (Berlin)
\nAtlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n

Nov. 11<\/strong>
\nAt 4:00 p.m. ET, signing period ends for Franchise Players who are eligible to receive offer sheets.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to sign their unrestricted free agents to whom the \u201cUFA Tender\u201d was made. If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2025.<\/p>\n

Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to sign their restricted free agents, including those to whom the \u201cJune 1 Tender\u201d was made. If such players remain unsigned after this date, they are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2025.<\/p>\n

Nov. 16<\/strong>
\nNFL International Game at Bernab\u00e9u Stadium (Madrid, Spain)
\nWashington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n

December<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dec. 9-10<\/strong>
\nSpecial League Meeting (Virtual).<\/p>\n

January 2026<\/h4>\n

Jan. 3-4
\nWeek 18 – end of regular NFL season<\/h4>\n

Jan. 5<\/strong>
\nClubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2026 season, including players from the CFL.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Clubs may exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

Jan. 7<\/strong>
\nBeginning 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.<\/p>\n

Jan. 10-12
\nWild Card Weekend<\/h4>\n

Jan. 14 (Tentative)
\nDeadline 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.<\/h4>\n

Jan. 17-18
\nDivisional Playoffs<\/h4>\n

Jan. 23 (Tentative)
\nDeadline 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.<\/h4>\n

Jan. 25
\nAFC and NFC Championship Games<\/h3>\n

February 2026<\/h3>\n

Feb. 8
\nSuper Bowl LX at Levi\u2019s Stadium (Santa Clara, California).<\/h3>\n

Feb. 17<\/strong>
\nBeginning this date through 4:00 p.m. ET on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.<\/p>\n

Feb. 23\u2013March 2<\/strong>
\nNFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis).<\/p>\n

March 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

March 3<\/strong>
\nPrior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.<\/strong><\/p>\n

March 9-11<\/strong>
\nDuring 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s agent must be a participant of the call.
\nNo prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET, on March 11.<\/p>\n

March 11
\nThe 2026 League Year and Free agency signing period begins at 4:00 p.m. ET.
\nTrading period for 2026 begins at 4:00 p.m. ET, after expiration of all 2025 contracts<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

March 29\u2013April 1<\/strong>
\nAnnual League Meeting (Phoenix, Arizona)<\/p>\n

April 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

April 6<\/strong>
\nClubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2025 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.<\/p>\n

April 15<\/strong>
\nDeadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with a draft- eligible player at its club facility.<\/p>\n

April 17<\/strong>
\nDeadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.<\/p>\n

April 20<\/strong>
\nClubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.<\/p>\n

April 22<\/strong>
\nDeadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
\nDeadline 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.<\/p>\n

April 23-25 – NFL Draft 2026 – Pittsburgh, Pa.<\/h3>\n
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NFL Calendar 2026-2027 September 9-10, 13- 14 NFL Kickoff Weekend September 10 NFL International Game at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne, Australia). San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams September 27 NFL International Game [read more…]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1855,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[32],"class_list":["post-6381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl-dates","tag-draft-insider-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6381"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6381\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7417,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6381\/revisions\/7417"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}