2026 NFL offseason key dates: full schedule from now until the preseason

NFL teams have been busy building through free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, and now their attention moves from front-office planning to the practice field.

We've entered the mandatory training camps phase, where newcomers mix with old, and camp battles get underway to determine where each player sits on the depth chart.

With the 2026 schedule confirmed and the first preseason game of the 2026 season less than two months away, here's what teams will be getting up to between now and then.

Mandatory minicamps

• Date: Mid-June

Mandatory minicamps represent the final phase of organised offseason work before training camp begins.

Sessions typically include light workouts, classroom instruction, and non-contact situational drills.

As the name reveals, attendance is mandatory, making these sessions notable for contract situations, holdouts, and early insight into each team's depth chart.

Stay tuned for holdouts. They happen every year and, in some cases, can have far-reaching ramifications for both the player and his team.

Preseason training camp

• Date: Mid-July to August

Training camps open in mid-to-late July, marking the true return of football action. Position battles intensify, highlight reels send social media into a frenzy, and joint practices add further intrigue.

Remember the non-stop drama surrounding Shedeur Sanders in last year's camp?

Imagine just how much media attention No.1 overall pick QB Fernando Mendoza will command in camp this year.

Follow this link for the full team-by-team training camp dates.

Preseason

The first preseason fixture is the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, held in Canton, Ohio, at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

In 2026, the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals will be the two teams competing in that contest. The game is scheduled for Thursday, Aug 6.

That game serves as the backdrop for the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, where legends such as Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald will be inducted this year.

Fine-tuning before the season opener

Once the preseason concludes, teams finalise rosters and turn their attention to Week 1.

The long journey from the Super Bowl in February to the opening kickoff in September is then complete, and another NFL season gets underway.

Here's the full schedule for the 2026 season, and here are full details of the record nine international games on this year's slate, with matchups and storylines for each.

Full 2026 offseason schedule