2025-2026 Important NFL Dates

Kickoff Weekend presented by YouTube TV.

NFL International Game at Corinthians Arena (São Paulo)

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers

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.

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.

NFL International Game at Croke Park (Dublin)
Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)

Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns

NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)

Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets

NFL International Game at Wembley Stadium (London, United Kingdom)

Los Angeles Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars

Fall League Meeting (New York)

All trading ends for 2025 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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

NFL International Game at Olympic Stadium (Berlin)

Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts

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.

NFL International Game at Bernabéu Stadium (Madrid, Spain)

Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins

Special League Meeting (Virtual).

Week 18.

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)

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.

Wild Card Weekend powered by Verizon.

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.

Divisional Playoffs presented by Intuit TurboTax.

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.

AFC and NFC Championship Games presented by Intuit TurboTax.

Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California).

Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m. ET on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.

NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis).

Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

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.

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.

Annual League Meeting (Phoenix, Arizona)

Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2025 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.

Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with a draft- eligible player at its club facility.

Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.

Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.

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.