NFL Kickoff

The NFL Kickoff Game is the very first game of the National Football League regular season. It is a special event that starts the football season and is held one night before the rest of the games begin. This game usually takes place on a Thursday in early September, right after Labor Day.

The Kickoff Game began in the 2002 season. Since 2004, the team that won the Super Bowl usually hosts this game. There have been a few times when this wasn’t possible, such as in 2013 and 2019, when different teams played instead.

The Kickoff Game is also a big television event. It is shown on NBC as part of their Sunday Night Football broadcasts. The game is often exciting, and since it started, the home team has won most of the time.

History

The Kickoff Game started in the 2002 season. It was created to help the economy in New York and Washington after 9/11. The game was a big success and brought in more money for the NFL.

ESPN showed the first game on TV. Later, the game moved to ABC and then to NBC. Before 2002, the first game of the season was different, but the Kickoff Game has become a special event every year.

The game usually happens on a Thursday in early September. The team that won the Super Bowl often hosts this game. Sometimes, the game has to change times or days because of other important events.

In recent years, many famous teams have played in the Kickoff Game, like the New England Patriots, New York Giants, and Kansas City Chiefs. The game is always exciting and marks the start of the NFL season.

List of games

Winning team appears in bold.

– Game did not feature the defending Super Bowl champions.
– Game played on a Wednesday instead of the usual Thursday.
– Defending Super Bowl champions played away because of a scheduling conflict.

Win-loss records

Pre-game concerts

The NFL Kickoff Game is the first game of the NFL regular season, held on a Thursday in early September. Before the game, there is often a concert and other special events.

Here are some notable pre-game concerts:

• 2002: The concert was held in New York City's Times Square, featuring performances by Bon Jovi, Enrique Iglesias, Eve, and Alicia Keys. It also supported memorial events for New York City.
• 2003: The concert moved to Washington, D.C., with performances by Britney Spears, Aerosmith, and Mary J. Blige. It included a tribute to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• 2004: The concert took place in two locations: Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Jacksonville, Florida. Performers included Mary J. Blige, Destiny's Child, Elton John, and Jessica Simpson.
• 2005: The concert was held in Foxborough, Detroit, and Los Angeles, featuring Green Day, Carlos Santana, Kanye West, and others.
• 2006: The concert switched to NBC and was held in Pittsburgh and Miami Beach, with performances by Diddy, Cassie, Rascal Flatts, and Martina McBride.
• 2007: The concert was held in Indianapolis, with performances by Kelly Clarkson, John Mellencamp, Billy Joel, and Hinder.
• 2008: The concert was held in New York City, featuring Keith Urban and Usher.
• 2009: The concert was held in Pittsburgh, with Tim McGraw and The Black Eyed Peas performing.
• 2010: The concert took place in New Orleans, featuring Dave Matthews Band and Taylor Swift.
• 2011: The concert was held near Lambeau Field in Green Bay, with Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, and Maroon 5 performing.
• 2012: The concert was held in New York City, with Mariah Carey, No Doubt, and Cee Lo Green performing.
• 2013: The concert was held in Baltimore, featuring Danielle Bradbery and Keith Urban.
• 2014: The concert was held in Seattle, with Pharrell Williams and Soundgarden performing.
• 2015: The concert was held in San Francisco, with Ellie Goulding and Train performing.
• 2016: The concert was held in Philadelphia, with Dierks Bentley and OneRepublic performing.
• 2017: The concert was held in Boston, with Guster and Flo Rida performing.
• 2018: The concert was held in Philadelphia, with Shawn Mendes performing.
• 2019: The concert was held in Chicago, with Meek Mill, Meghan Trainor, and Rapsody performing.
• 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the concert was canceled. Alicia Keys and Chloe x Halle performed special songs.
• 2021: The concert was held in Tampa, with Alicia Keys, Michelle Williams, and Ed Sheeran performing.
• 2022: The concert was held in Long Beach, with Halle Bailey, Tinashe, and J. Balvin performing.
• 2023: The Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir and Natalie Grant performed.
• 2024: Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Coco Jones performed.
• 2025: Laurin Talese and Boyz II Men performed.

Television ratings

† Preliminary figure