The road to the Super Bowl starts in September with the new NFL season

NFL key dates for 2018/19: When does the NFL season start, when are the London games and the play-offs?

NFL

Wed July 25, 2018 · 8y ago

Take a look at all the key dates for the new NFL season including the big kick-off, London games and the play-offs leading up to the Super Bowl.

AUGUST

Aug. 2 Hall of Fame Game, Baltimore Ravens vs. Chicago Bears, Canton, Ohio.

Aug. 2-5 Hall of Fame Weekend, Canton, Ohio.

Aug. 7 Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an accrued season for free agency. If a drafted rookie has not signed with his club by this date, he cannot be traded to any other club in 2018, and may sign a player contract only with the drafting club until the day of the Draft in the 2019 League Year.

Aug. 9-13 First Preseason Weekend.

Aug. 16-20 Second Preseason Weekend.

Aug. 23-26 Third Preseason Weekend.

Aug. 30 Final Preseason Games.

Super Bowl 53 betting

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 1 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List.

Sept. 2 Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at 12:00 noon, New York time.

Sept. 6 At 12:00 a.m., New York time, the Top 51 Rule expires for all NFL clubs.

Sept. 6 New season kicks off with Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles (1.20 am BST)

Sept. 9-10 First weekend of regular season fixtures.

OCTOBER

Oct. 14 NFL London Series, Seattle Seahawks vs. Oakland Raiders, New Tottenham Stadium.

Oct. 21 NFL London Series, Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Wembley Stadium.

Oct. 28 NFL London Series, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Wembley Stadium.

Oct. 30 All trading ends for 2018 at 4:00 p.m., New York time.

NOVEMBER

Nov. 13 At 4:00 p.m., New York time, signing period ends for Franchise Players who are eligible to receive offer sheets. 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 the NFL in 2018.

Nov. 19 NFL Mexico Series, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams, Estadio Azteca.

DECEMBER

Dec. 12 League Meeting, Irving, Texas.

Dec. 30 Week 17.

2019 JANUARY

Jan. 5-6 Wild Card Playoffs.

Jan. 12-13 Divisional Playoffs.

Jan. 20 AFC and NFC Championship Games.

Jan. 26 Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.

Jan. 27 NFL Pro Bowl, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida.

FEBRUARY

Feb. 3 Super Bowl LIII, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia.