Just because there are no games right now doesn’t mean that we can’t look at the NFL key dates in 2022.
For example, when is the start of the NFL schedule this season and what is the date of the 2023 Super Bowl? After all, fans will want to know all of the important NFL dates this season well in advance.
NFL key dates 2022
Obviously, some of the NFL key dates for 2022 have already passed, including the start of free agency and the NFL Draft. But what else is on the 2022 NFL calendar that fans should know about? Here is a rundown of every important date you need to know.
Hall of Fame Game – August 4
The NFL preseason always begins with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, which helps to highlight Hall of Fame weekend.
This year’s game is scheduled for August 4 and will feature the Las Vegas Raiders facing the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Start of Preseason – August 11
One week after the Hall of Fame Game, the rest of the league starts to get the preseason underway.
Between August 11 and August 14, there are 16 preseason games
First Game of Regular Season – September 8
The last two preseason games will be played on Sunday, August 28. After that, teams will have Labor Day Weekend off to prepare themselves for games the following weekend.
However, the official start date of the 2022 NFL season is on Thursday, September 8. The league pulled out all of the stops this year, scheduling the Buffalo Bills to face the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in a primetime game that could easily be a preview of next year’s Super Bowl.
Thanksgiving – November 24
As usual, one of the NFL key dates in 2022 will be Thanksgiving, which falls on November 24.
There are three games on the NFL schedule that day. The Bills visit the Lions, the Cowboys host the Giants, and the Patriots play the Vikings in prime time.
Christmas – December 25
Of course, everybody knows that Christmas Day is on December 25. But what NFL fans should know is that because it’s on a Sunday, most of the games that week will be played on Saturday.
However, there are three games scheduled for Christmas Day. The Packers will visit the Dolphins, the Broncos will face the Rams, and the Buccaneers will play at the Cardinals. Plus, Monday will feature the Chargers facing the Colts.
Week 18 – January 8
It all comes to an end on Sunday, January 8. There are no Thursday, Saturday, or Monday games during the final week of the regular season.
All 16 games that week will be played on January 8 with all 16 games being played between division rivals.
Wild Card Round – January 14-16
Less than a week after the regular season ends, the Wild Card Round of the playoffs is scheduled.
With the expanded playoffs, there are six games this weekend, with two games on Saturday, three on Sunday, and one on Monday night.
Divisional Round – January 21-22
What NFL fan could forget how absolutely crazy and amazing the Divisional Round was last season?
Of course, only time will tell if this Divisional Round this season can live up to what happened in this round last year, but hopes are high.
Conference Championship Games – January 29
When the NFL gets down to its final four teams, Championship Sunday will be on January 29.
We don’t know the matchups yet, but it’s bound to be a good day for football fans.
Super Bowl – February 12
Out of all of the NFL key dates in 2022, the Super Bowl is by far the biggest.
Obviously, we don’t know who will be playing in the game. But we do know it will be February 12, 2013, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.