Fantasy football generally starts with the NFL season kickoff in early September. For 2025, the NFL season and thus the fantasy football season opening is on September 4, 2025. However, fantasy drafts often begin much earlier, usually starting in early August and picking up pace after the July 4 holiday weekend. The fantasy draft season continues intensively through August and into early September before the regular season starts. The busiest draft weekends tend to be around Labor Day weekend.
Key 2025 dates:
- Fantasy drafts start: Early August, after July 4 weekend
- NFL season (and fantasy start): September 4, 2025
- Fantasy playoffs typically begin in early December.
