When Does NFL Training Camp Start?

Wondering when NFL training camp starts up again? Get the latest information on start dates, locations, and more right here.

Introduction

Training camp is the time when NFL teams get ready for the upcoming season. All 32 teams have training camps, which usually start in late July and can last up to six weeks. During this time, players practice every day and compete in scrimmage games against each other. Training camp is also when coaches make final decisions on which players will make the team’s 53-man roster.

History of NFL Training Camps

Training camp in the National Football League began in the late 1800s with the creation of the Canton Bulldogs. The Bulldogs held training camp in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In those early days, teams would often hold three weeks of training camp before the start of the regular season.

Pre-season training camps

Pre-season training camp began in earnest in the late 19th century with coaches such as Amos Alonzo Stagg at the University of Chicago and Pop Warner at Carlisle Indian School. The timing of NFL training camp was originally tied to the date of college football camps opening, which varied depending on the coaches’ preference and by institution.

During World War II, with many players being drafted into military service, and with travel restrictions due to gas rationing, NFL training camp was limited to a one-month period. Afterwards, teams could hold training camp for no more than four weeks prior to the opening of the regular season.

The length of NFL training camp was gradually shortened over the years, from four weeks in 1963 to three weeks in 1982. In 2010, the NFL reduced the maximum length of training camp to thirty-two days.

In-season training camps

In the modern NFL, most teams hold training camp for several weeks in the summer, typically in late July through August. Training camp allows the coaching staff to evaluate players (especially rookies), identify the team’s strongest players, and determine which players will make the final cut for the 53-man roster.

During training camp, teams may elect to hold one or more scrimmages (referred to as “joint practices” in recent years) against another team, which gives coaches additional game-like evaluation opportunities without risking injury to key players that would otherwise occur during a preseason game.

What Happens at Training Camp?

When NFL training camp starts, players report to their team’s facilities to begin preparations for the upcoming season. Training camp is a time for players to get in shape and learn the team’s playbook. It is also a time for coaches to evaluate players and decide who will make the final roster.

Pre-season training camp

Training camp is a period of preparation for the upcoming football season. During this time, teams will practice together to improve their skills and get ready for the competitive season. Training camp can be a grueling experience, with long hours and intense physical activity.

But it’s not all work and no play. Training camp is also a time for team building, as players get to know each other and develop the camaraderie that will help them succeed on the field.

Training camp typically lasts for several weeks, culminating in a series of pre-season games. These games give coaches a chance to evaluate players and make decisions about who will make the final cut for the regular season roster.

So when does NFL training camp start? It varies from team to team, but most camps begin in late July or early August.

In-season training camp

During the NFL season, teams are allowed to hold a five-day in-season training camp each year. These camps are voluntary for veteran players, but attendance is mandatory for rookies, first-year players, and players with little experience. In-season training camp allows coaches to work on player development and install new offensive or defensive schemes.

Conclusion

There is no definite answer to this question as each team has their own schedule and start date for training camp. However, most teams start training camp in late July or early August, with a few teams starting in late June or early July.