18-game season – Owners met twice this season but have not set a Super Bowl LXII date. That gap matters because an 18-game regular season by 2027 depends on scheduling decisions tied to the Feb. 13, 2028 target for the game in Atlanta.
For the NFL’s calendar to change, it starts with a date—and right now, the key one still isn’t locked.
The owners have met twice this season. and during neither session did they finalize a date for Super Bowl LXII. which is set to be played in February 2028. A specific day for the game hasn’t been picked. a choice that leaves room for the possibility of expanding the regular season from 17 games to 18 games by 2027.
But the window may be more theoretical than practical. A source with knowledge of the situation says it’s highly unlikely the season will expand to 18 games by 2027.
The current 17-game structure, with one bye, points to February 13, 2028 as the date for Super Bowl LXII in Atlanta. Unless and until the league announces February 13, there is still a chance the game slides deeper into the month to make room for a longer season.
If the league were to go with an 18-game season—complete with two byes—and keep two weeks between the conference championships and the Super Bowl. Super Bowl LXII would move to February 27. 2028. February 20. on Presidents Day weekend. becomes another potential landing spot if the scheduling is adjusted for an 18-game season in a way that includes one bye per team. only one week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl. or the commencement of the 2027 season on Labor Day weekend.
That calendar uncertainty connects to something happening off the field. The delay is likely tied to recent turmoil within the NFL Players Association. One source described the upheaval inside the union earlier this year as having caused the NFL’s business to become “constipated.”
With JC Tretter taking over as NFLPA executive director on April 1. there may not be enough time to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. to arrange a successful vote by the rank and file. and to implement an expanded regular season by next year. The concern is sharpened by the fact that Tretter has shown no inclination to move quickly.
Still, the league can’t keep key logistics floating forever. As long as Super Bowl LXII hasn’t been officially dated—specifically. as long as February 13. 2028 isn’t nailed down—the possibility of an 18-game season beginning in 2027 remains open. At some point. the NFL will have to nail down the dates for hotel reservations and the use of the convention center and other venues in the week leading into the game.
Super Bowl LXII 2028 Atlanta 18-game season NFLPA JC Tretter Collective Bargaining Agreement owners meeting regular season expansion
So they can’t even pick a Super Bowl date but they’re talking about adding games? Seems like a mess from the start.
I don’t get it, isn’t Super Bowl already scheduled for 2028 like… every time I look it’s always Feb 13? Unless they’re changing it because of players or whatever.
The thing about hotels and convention centers is why I’m like… just pick the damn date. If it’s “highly unlikely” then why tease 18 games by 2027 at all? Also that whole union stuff “constipated” made me laugh but it’s probably why nothing gets done.
Wait so if it becomes 18 games then Super Bowl could be Feb 27 or Presidents Day weekend? That’s crazy, I swear they’ll always push it later until it messes up everyone’s plans. And if JC Tretter is taking his time that means the league is stuck, but I thought they already had the TV contracts so why do we need more negotiations?