National Football League Kickoff game , along with related festivities , marks the official start of the National Football League ( NFL ) regular season . A single game is held , preceded by a concert and other ceremonies . This first game of the season is usually scheduled for the Thursday following Labor Day and since 2004 , it was hosted by the current Super Bowl champions . However , in 2012 , the game was moved to Wednesday to prevent conflicts with the acceptance speech of the Democratic National Convention . The remainder of the league plays their opening weekend games the following Sunday and Monday
Democratic National Convention
2012 Democratic National Convention
NFL Kickoff Game