When does the NFL training camp start?

As the NFL prepares for the 2023 season, the league is set to follow its traditional schedule for training camp, which typically begins during the second half of July. While specific dates have not yet been announced, teams are expected to start holding Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in late May.

NFL:

Rookie minicamps are slated for mid-May, while mandatory minicamps are planned for mid-June. These dates are subject to change, but the NFL follows a consistent calendar each season.

As teams gear up for the new season, fans eagerly anticipate the start of training camp and the kickoff of another exciting year of football.

NFL training camp dates

The “2023 Important NFL Dates” have been published by NFL Football Operations, with events planned through May, including the Spring League Meeting from May 22-24. While key dates for training camp haven’t been released, Rookie Football Development Programs are set to begin on May 15.

Although dates may change, training camp typically starts around the same time each year, with the second half of July anticipated for the 2023 season.

NFL training camps usually take place for around two weeks, concluding just before the start of the preseason in August. However, these camps must comply with fundamental regulations established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NFL and the players. One such rule is that no contact is allowed in the first three days of camp, with franchise players only able to wear helmets and light practice gear for the following two days.

On the sixth day, all players are given a mandatory day off, and on the seventh day, players are allowed to wear pads for the first time during the off-season. The league authorizes veteran players to begin training camp 15 days before their first preseason game, whereas rookies can start training 22 days before their first game.

The saying goes that the NFL is a veteran’s league.