The countdown to the 2025 NFL season officially began when the final seconds ticked off the clock on the Eagles' dominant Super Bowl win over the Chiefs in February. With free agency and the draft in the rear-view mirror, that day will soon start approaching.
For the first time since 2022, the season won't start in Kansas City. The reigning Super Bowl champions traditionally welcome the NFL back with a home game on the opening Thursday of the season, raising their championship banner in front of a national audience. The Eagles will raise their second banner in Philadelphia this year before the season opener.
The NFL's last two kickoff games were thrillers, with the Lions upsetting the Chiefs in 2023 but Kansas City narrowly outlasting the Ravens in 2024. What's in store for 2025?
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Here's what you need to know about the NFL season opener, including the Eagles' opponent and date.
What day does the 2025 NFL season start?
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 4
- Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Teams: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles will host the NFC East rival Cowboys in the first game of the 2025 NFL season on Thursday, Sept. 4.
Lincoln Financial Field was always expected to be the site of the season opener, which is awarded to the team that won the previous Super Bowl. The only recent exception came in 2019, when the NFL chose to celebrate its 100th season with a classic matchup between the Packers and Bears, pushing the Patriots' opener to Sunday night.
The matchup between the Eagles and Cowboys is the first divisional battle in the NFL's kickoff game since that 2019 NFC North showdown.
By putting the first of two games between the Cowboys and Eagles in Week 1, the NFL is hoping to finally get another matchup between Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts. Injuries or other absences have limited the two quarterbacks to only three career meetings, including none in 2022 or 2024.
MORE: Who has the easiest, toughest schedules in 2025?
How to watch NFL 2025 season opener
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock, Fubo
The NFL season will again start on NBC, with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth calling the season opener from Philadelphia.
After Sept. 4, most Thursday night games will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, with NBC stepping in to host the prime-time Thanksgiving game. NBC will broadcast "Sunday Night Football" as well in Week 1 and remain in that slot for the duration of the season.
Viewers without cable can stream the game on either Peacock or Fubo.