NFL 2025 Schedule Released: Eagles Kick Off Season Against Cowboys with International Games and Exciting Matchups

### 2025 NFL Schedule Release: Key Highlights and What Fans Need to Know

The 2025 NFL schedule has been officially released, and here are the key points that football fans are eager to know:

#### Schedule Release Details
The full 2025 NFL schedule was announced on Wednesday, May 14th, at 8 p.m. ET, broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN2, and streaming on NFL+[3].

#### Season Opener
The 2025 NFL season will kick off on Thursday, September 4th, with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting their NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys, at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC[3].

#### International Games
This season will feature several international games. Notably, the Minnesota Vikings will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin in Week 4, followed by a game against the Cleveland Browns in London in Week 5[1][4].

#### Notable Matchups
One of the highlighted matchups includes an all-AFC West affair between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, which will be played in Brazil[2].

#### Strength of Schedule
For teams like the San Francisco 49ers, who had a disappointing 2024 season due to injuries, the 2025 schedule is being closely scrutinized. Despite their recent struggles, the 49ers' schedule is being analyzed using the previous season's opponent win-loss records to gauge their chances of returning to playoff contention[1].

#### Preseason Schedule
The preseason schedule has also been released, providing fans with a glimpse of the teams' preparations before the regular season begins[2].

#### Fan Engagement and Revenue
The NFL continues to be a cultural and financial powerhouse. With record-breaking legal sports betting expected to reach $35 billion this season, and 70% of Americans identifying as football fans, the league's popularity shows no signs of waning[5].

In summary, the 2025 NFL schedule offers a mix of exciting matchups, international games, and a highly anticipated season opener. As fans begin to analyze their teams' schedules, the anticipation for the upcoming season is building.