2026-27 NFL Season: Essential Dates and Draft Combine Schedule
The upcoming 2026-27 NFL season is shaping up to be a highly anticipated event for fans and teams alike. With significant activities slated throughout the offseason, here’s a look at essential dates and the NFL Draft Combine schedule.
NFL Offseason Key Dates
Teams and fans should mark their calendars for these critical dates:
- February
- Feb. 17: Teams begin to designate Franchise or Transition Players (until March 3).
- Feb. 23 – March 2: NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
- March
- March 3: Deadline for designating Franchise or Transition Players (4 p.m. ET).
- March 9-11: Legal tampering period for contact with pending unrestricted free agents.
- March 11: Start of the 2026 League Year; free agency opens (4 p.m. ET).
- March 29 – April 1: Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, AZ.
- April
- April 15: Deadline for teams to conduct player interviews and physicals.
- April 17: Last day for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
- April 20: Offseason workout programs begin for returning head coaches.
- April 23-25: 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- May
- May 1: Deadline for Fifth-Year Option on first-round 2023 draft picks.
- May 1-4 or May 8-11: Dates for Post-Draft rookie minicamps.
- May 13 (expected): Release of the 2026 NFL Schedule.
- July
- Mid-July: Rookie training camps begin, one week ahead of veterans.
- July 15: Deadline for franchise tag extensions (4 p.m. ET).
- Mid-to-late July: Veteran training camps commence.
- August
- Aug. 31: Rosters must be trimmed to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET.
- September
- Sept. 10: NFL Kickoff Game marks the start of the regular season.
Details of the 2026 NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23 to April 25 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Las Vegas Raiders are set to make the first overall pick, with expectations surrounding the selection of Fernando Mendoza. The draft rounds will proceed as follows:
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | Thursday, April 23 |
| Rounds 2-3 | Friday, April 24 |
| Rounds 4-7 | Saturday, April 25 |
Training Camps and Preseason Schedule
NFL training camps are anticipated to begin in mid-to-late July, with rookies reporting a week ahead of veterans. The preseason will commence in early August, featuring the Hall of Fame Game on August 6.
Key Dates for the 2026-27 NFL Season
Here are some crucial dates for the upcoming NFL season:
- Regular season kickoff: September 10, 2026
- Thanksgiving games: November 26, 2026
- Christmas games: December 25, 2026
- Playoffs start: January 16, 2027
- Super Bowl 61: February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
As the 2026-27 NFL season approaches, fans are encouraged to remember these dates. The upcoming season promises a thrilling schedule filled with exciting moments.
