History of NFL Kickoff in Timeline

The NFL Kickoff Game marks the start of the National Football League's regular season. Traditionally held on the Thursday following Labor Day, with an exception in 2012, the game is preceded by a concert and ceremonies. This kickoff game is distinct from the Thursday Night Football series and is broadcast on a different network or streaming service.

1934: Chicago All-Star Game

From 1934, the first game of the pre-season was the Chicago All-Star Game, an exhibition match featuring the previous season's NFL champions against an all-rookie team of college all-stars.

1949: Merger of the NFL with the AAFC

In 1949, the NFL merged with the All-America Football Conference (AAFC).

1950: "World Series of Pro Football" Game

In 1950, the opening game of the NFL season was a showcase game between the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles and the AAFC champion Cleveland Browns, billed as the "World Series of Pro Football."

1962: Y. A. Tittle Throws Seven Touchdowns

During the 1962 NFL season Y.A. Tittle became one of only two players ever to throw 7 touchdowns without an interception.

1970: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

With the advent of Monday Night Football in 1970 it became common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

1976: Chicago All-Star Game

Until 1976, the first game of the pre-season was the Chicago All-Star Game, an exhibition match featuring the previous season's NFL champions against an all-rookie team of college all-stars.

1978: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 1978 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

1979: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 1979 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

1983: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 1983 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

1987: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 1987 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

1988: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 1988 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

1990: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 1990 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

1993: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 1993 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

1996: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 1996 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

2000: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 2000 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

2002: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 2002 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

2002: NFL Kickoff Game Conceived to Boost Economic Recovery After 9/11

In 2002, the NFL Kickoff Game was conceived to boost economic recovery in the New York and Washington areas after 9/11, increasing NFL sponsorships by $1.9 billion over the next 14 months.

2002: Inaugural NFL Kickoff Game

In 2002, the NFL Kickoff game was introduced, marking the beginning of a new tradition for the NFL season.

2003: Super Bowl Champion Showcase Games

In 2003 it was common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season.

2003: Kickoff Game Move to ABC

In 2003, the kickoff game's popularity resulted in a move to ABC, becoming part of the Monday Night Football package. ABC dropped the final week's MNF game and ESPN received a week 17 Saturday night game. The Washington Redskins defeated the New York Jets 16–13.

2004: Tradition of Super Bowl Champion Hosting Kickoff Game Begins

In 2004, the tradition began with the reigning Super Bowl champion hosting the kickoff game, with the New England Patriots defeating the Indianapolis Colts 27–24. After the Super Bowl XXXVIII 'wardrobe malfunction,' concerts were initially cancelled, but later reversed with a 10-second broadcast delay.

2004: Super Bowl Champion Hosts Kickoff Game

Starting in 2004, the Super Bowl champion began hosting the NFL Kickoff Game, setting a new tradition except for a few exceptions.

2005: Patriots Host Raiders in Kickoff Game

In 2005, the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots hosted the Oakland Raiders, defeating them 30-20. It was the final season the kickoff game aired on ABC.

2006: NBC Acquires Television Rights to Kickoff Game

In 2006, NBC acquired the television rights to the Kickoff Game as part of their Sunday Night Football package.

2006: Kickoff Game Moved to NBC

In 2006, the Kickoff Game moved to NBC with the new television contracts, aligning with NBC Sunday Night Football.

2008: Kickoff Moved Due to Conventions

In 2008, the NFL kickoff had scheduling conflicts due to the Republican convention

2008: Opening Kickoff Moved to Avoid Conflict

In 2008, the NFL moved up the opening kickoff time to 7 p.m. to avoid conflict with the Republican National Convention.

2008: Opening Kickoff Moved for Republican National Convention

In 2008, the league and NBC moved up the opening kickoff of the kickoff game to 7 p.m. to avoid conflicting with coverage of the Republican National Convention. The game featured the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants and was also the first to be carried by Internet television in the United States.

2010: Saints Host Vikings in Kickoff Game

In 2010, the Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints hosted the Minnesota Vikings in the kickoff game at the Louisiana Superdome, a rematch of the previous season's NFC Championship Game.

2011: Packers Host Saints in Kickoff Game

In 2011, the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers hosted the New Orleans Saints in the Kickoff Game, marking the first time the winners of the two previous Super Bowls faced each other. Randall Cobb tied the NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

2012: Kickoff Game moved to Wednesday

In 2012, the NFL Kickoff game was moved to Wednesday, September 5th to avoid conflict with the Democratic National Convention acceptance speech.

2012: Kickoff Moved Due to Conventions

In 2012, the NFL kickoff had scheduling conflicts due to the Democratic convention

2012: Giants Loss in Kickoff Game

In 2012, the New York Giants were the only home team to have lost in the Kickoff Game twice.

2012: Home Team Loss

In 2012, the home team lost in the NFL Kickoff Game.

2013: Ravens Play on the Road Due to Conflict

In 2013, the Super Bowl XLVII champion Baltimore Ravens played on the road against the Denver Broncos due to a scheduling conflict with an Orioles game. Peyton Manning threw seven touchdowns, without an interception.

2013: Ravens Open on the Road

In 2013, the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens opened the season on the road due to a scheduling conflict with an Orioles baseball game.

2014: Roger Goodell's Absence from Gillette Stadium

2014 marks the last season prior to 2017 when Roger Goodell was present at Gillette Stadium.

September 3, 2015: Tom Brady's Suspension Thrown Out

On September 3, 2015, Tom Brady's four-game suspension related to the Deflategate scandal was thrown out by a court, allowing him to play in the 2015 Kickoff Game.

2015: QB Changes for Broncos

In 2015, the Denver Broncos debuted Trevor Siemian as their new starting quarterback in 2016 after both quarterbacks who started games in 2015 left the team; Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler left as a free agent.

2017: Chiefs Defeat Patriots in Kickoff Game

In 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Super Bowl LI champion New England Patriots in the Kickoff Game at Gillette Stadium. Roger Goodell attended the game, his first visit to the venue since the 2014 season.

2017: Home Team Loss

In 2017, the home team lost in the NFL Kickoff Game.

2018: Packers Host Bears to Begin 100th Season

In 2018, the Green Bay Packers Hosted the Chicago Bears to begin their own 100th season.

2018: Eagles Host Falcons in Kickoff Game

In 2018, the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Atlanta Falcons in the Kickoff Game. The Eagles won, reminiscent of their previous playoff matchup.

2019: Bears Host Packers to Begin NFL's 100th Season

In 2019, the Chicago Bears hosted the Green Bay Packers to start the NFL's 100th season, breaking the tradition of the Super Bowl champion hosting the game.

2019: Patriots Sit Out of Kickoff Game

In 2019, the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots did not participate in the Kickoff Game, as the league scheduled the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears to celebrate the NFL's 100th season.

2020: Dak Prescott's Injury

In 2020 Dak Prescott suffers a significant injury

2020: Super Bowl Champion Hosts Kickoff Game Restored

In 2020, the tradition of having the Super Bowl champion host the kickoff game was restored, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.

2021: Buccaneers Host Cowboys in Kickoff Game

In 2021, the Super Bowl LV champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted the Dallas Cowboys in the kickoff game. Dak Prescott returned from injury, passing for 403 yards in a losing effort.

2022: Rams Host Bills in Kickoff Game

In 2022, the Super Bowl LVI champion Los Angeles Rams hosted the Buffalo Bills in the kickoff game. A moment of silence was held for Queen Elizabeth II. The Bills defeated the Rams 31-10.

2022: Home Team Loss

In 2022, the home team lost in the NFL Kickoff Game.

2023: Home Team Loss

In 2023, the home team lost in the NFL Kickoff Game.

2023: Chiefs lose to Lions in season opener

On 2023, the NFL season commenced in Kansas City, where the Super Bowl LVII champion Kansas City Chiefs were defeated by the Detroit Lions with a score of 20–21.

2024: Chiefs defeat Ravens in season opener

In 2024, for the second consecutive year, the season began in Kansas City, with the Super Bowl LVIII champion Kansas City Chiefs winning against the Baltimore Ravens with a score of 27–20, in a rematch of the previous season's AFC Championship game.