What Time Do NFL Games Actually Start? A Simple Guide for New Fans

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If you’re new to watching the National Football League, one of the first frustrations is surprisingly simple: game times. You might hear fans say “the noon games,” “the late window,” or “prime time,” but none of that is obvious at first glance—especially if you’re not on the U.S. East Coast.

This guide breaks it all down in plain English. By the end, you’ll know exactly when NFL games start, how kickoff times change by day and time zone, and which games are easiest to follow as a new fan.

Read more: How to Watch NFL Games on Your Phone in the U.S. (No Cable, No TV Required)

Clock vs Footbal - What time do NFL games usually start

The Short Answer: When Do NFL Games Start?

Most regular-season NFL games start at four standard kickoff windows:

• Sunday early games: 1:00 PM Eastern Time

• Sunday late games: 4:05 PM or 4:25 PM Eastern Time

• Sunday Night Football: 8:20 PM Eastern Time

• Prime-time weekday games: around 8:15–8:20 PM Eastern Time

If you remember just this, you’ll already be ahead of many first-time viewers.

Why Fans Say “Noon Games” (But Mean 1:00 PM)

One of the most confusing phrases for new fans is “noon games.”

Here’s the reason:
NFL coverage is built around U.S. time zones, and many fans live in Central Time.

• 1:00 PM Eastern = 12:00 PM Central

• That’s why Central-time fans call early games “the noon games”

• East Coast fans call the same games “the 1 o’clock games”

So if someone says, “My team plays at noon,” always check which time zone they’re in.

Same Game, Different Time - NFL Games Start

NFL Sunday Game Times Explained (Step by Step)

1. Early Sunday Games (1:00 PM ET)

This is the main kickoff window of the NFL.

• Usually 6–9 games start at the same time

• These games are shown regionally

• Most teams play in this window

Best for new fans:
If you want the classic NFL experience—daytime football, lots of options—this is it.

2. Late Sunday Afternoon Games (4:05 / 4:25 PM ET)

After the early games finish, the NFL rolls into the late window.

Why two different times?

• 4:05 PM ET: fewer high-profile games

• 4:25 PM ET: marquee matchups shown to more regions

This staggered timing helps avoid all games ending at once.

3. Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET)

This is the NFL’s showcase game.

• One game only

• National broadcast

• Often features top teams or playoff implications

For many fans, this is the easiest game to watch—no regional confusion, no overlapping kickoffs.

NFL Game Times on Other Days of the Week

Thursday Night Football

• Kickoff: 8:15–8:20 PM ET

• One standalone game

• Often exclusive to one broadcaster or streaming platform

Monday Night Football

• Kickoff: 8:15–8:20 PM ET

• Occasionally two games early in the season

• Traditionally one of the most watched slots

Saturday Games (Late Season)

• Appear in December and January

• Typically:

  • Afternoon game around 4:30 PM ET

  • Night game around 8:00 PM ET

Time Zone Confusion: The #1 Rookie Mistake

NFL schedules are always listed in Eastern Time by default.

Here’s a quick conversion cheat sheet:

• 1:00 PM ET → 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT | 10:00 AM PT

• 4:25 PM ET → 3:25 PM CT | 2:25 PM MT | 1:25 PM PT

• 8:20 PM ET → 7:20 PM CT | 6:20 PM MT | 5:20 PM PT

Pro tip:
If you live on the West Coast, NFL Sundays start early. Many fans there love having games finish before dinner.

Why NFL Games Rarely Start Exactly on the Hour

You may notice something odd: kickoffs are listed as 1:00, 4:05, or 4:25, not clean 15-minute blocks.

That’s intentional.

• TV pre-game segments run right up to kickoff

• Small offsets prevent channel overlap

• Advertisers and broadcasters control timing tightly

Actual kickoff is usually 5–10 minutes after the listed time.

Prime-Time Games: Why They Feel Different

Prime-time NFL games are designed for appointment viewing.

What makes them special:

• Only one game on

• Longer pre-game shows

• Bigger national audience

• More storylines and hype

If you’re a new fan and don’t want to juggle multiple games, prime time is the easiest entry point.

Which Kickoff Time Is Best for New Fans?

If you’re just starting out:

• Best overall: Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET)

• Best daytime option: Sunday 1:00 PM ET games

• Avoid at first: juggling early + late windows simultaneously

Watching one full game start to finish is better than flipping channels constantly.

FAQs

What time do NFL games usually start on Sunday?

Most start at 1:00 PM ET, with additional games at 4:05/4:25 PM ET and 8:20 PM ET.

Why do some games start at 4:05 and others at 4:25?

The later slot is reserved for games shown to more regions or with higher interest.

Do all teams play at the same time each week?

No. Kickoff times change weekly based on scheduling and broadcast decisions.

Are kickoff times always Eastern Time?

Yes. Official schedules default to Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Do NFL games ever start earlier than 1:00 PM ET?

Only for special international games or rare holiday events.

Final Takeaway

NFL kickoff times aren’t complicated once you understand the structure—but they can be confusing at first, especially with time zones and fan shorthand like “noon games.”

Remember this simple rule:

Sunday football starts at 1 PM ET, builds through the afternoon, and ends with prime time at night.

Once you lock that in, watching the NFL becomes far more enjoyable—and far less confusing.