The NFL is the most popular sports league in the US, and fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the upcoming season. But when does the new NFL season begin, and when do the playoffs get going? This guide will take you through the key dates and times for the NFL season 2023/24.
The 2023-2024 NFL Season - Overview
NFL Season Teams and Divisions
The NFL contains 32 teams, divided between 2 conferences. Each of these conferences features 16 teams. At the end of the season, the champions from each conference meet in the Super Bowl. The winning team in the Super Bowl is declared NFL champion for the season.
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference (AFC) is split into 4 geographical divisions.
Teams in the AFC North:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
Teams in the AFC West:
- Denver Broncos
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
Teams in the AFC South:
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
Teams in the AFC East:
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
In the 2022/23 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs were AFC champions.
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference (NFC) also features 4 divisions.
Teams in the NFC North:
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
Teams in the NFC West:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Los Angeles Rams
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
Teams in the NFC South:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Teams in the NFC East:
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
In the 2022/23 NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles were NFC champions.
Important Dates for the NFL Season
When does the NFL Regular Season Start?
The NFL 2023/24 regular season will start on 7 September 2023, following several weeks of preseason games. The opening game of the season is Kansas City Chiefs v Detroit Lions.
When is the End of the Regular Season?
The NFL 2023/24 regular season will end after Week 18, with the last games played on 6 January and 7 January 2024. All the final games will be divisional matchups, so every team will face another team from within its own division.
When are the NFL Playoffs?
The playoffs for the NFL 2023/24 season will begin on 13 January 2024 with the Wild Card Round. The Divisional Round games will be played on 20 January and 21 January. The following weekend will feature the AFC and NFC Conference Championship games on 28 January.
When is the Super Bowl?
Super Bowl LVIII is scheduled for 11 February 2024. The Super Bowl will be hosted at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, and will be contested by the NFC and AFC champions.
The Most Exciting Matchups in the NFL Season 2023/24
The new NFL season is sure to feature some dramatic comebacks, late victories, and passionate rivalry games. Which matchups look most exciting as the season approaches?
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 11 brings a rematch of Super Bowl LVII when the Chiefs host the Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs triumphed when these teams met in February, but lasting regrets from that game may inspire the Eagles to a different result in November.
Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers
Thanksgiving weekend means football to millions of fans around the US, and this year the Packers travel to Detroit for one of the holiday’s most highly anticipated matchups. After many difficult years, the Lions are looking like a real contender for the NFC North, but the Packers will surely put up a fight at Ford Field.
Dallas Cowboys vs New England Patriots
The Patriots visit Arlington in October for a clash of true NFL heavyweights. New England has not reached its previous heights in the post-Tom Brady era, while the Cowboys are in the conversation for a deep playoff run. Can the Pats set their season up early with a victory on the road?
FAQs
How many regular season games will each team play?
Each NFL team plays 17 games over the course of the regular season. The season takes place over 18 weeks, but every team receives 1 bye week where they are not scheduled to play. Each team plays the other 3 teams in their division twice, so 6 of the 17 games will be against divisional opponents.
How much are Super Bowl tickets?
It’s never easy to find cheap Super Bowl tickets, as the decisive season-ending game is one of the most highly anticipated sporting events in the world. In the 2022/23 season, the average price for a Super Bowl ticket was almost USD $10,000. This was higher than in previous years, so the costs may increase again for future Super Bowls.
Which teams will play in the first game of the season?
The first game of the 2023/24 NFL season will take place on Thursday 7 September 2023. The Detroit Lions will visit the Kansas City Chiefs for the season opener. It is traditional that the first NFL game of the season is held at the home ground of the reigning champions, and the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII in February 2023.
How many international games will be played in 2023?
International NFL games offer fans outside the US a chance to catch all the excitement of a live regular season game. In the 2023/24 season, the UK will host 3 NFL games. The Falcons play the Jaguars at Wembley, while Tottenham Stadium will host Jaguars v Bills and Ravens v Titans. The NFL is also heading to Germany, with the Dolphins facing the Chiefs and the Colts taking on the Patriots in Frankfurt.
Where will the international games take place?
The schedule for the international games in the NFL 2023/24 season is as follows:
- 1 October 2023 – Atlanta Falcons v Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley Stadium, UK)
- 8 October 2023 – Jacksonville Jaguars v Buffalo Bills (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, UK)
- 15 October 2023 – Baltimore Ravens v Tennessee Titans (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, UK)
- 5 November 2023 – Miami Dolphins v Kansas City Chiefs (Deutsche Bank Park, Germany)
- 12 November 2023 – Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots (Deutsche Bank Park, Germany)