TheNational Football League Kickoff Game,along with related festivities, marks the official start of theNational 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 followingLabor Day.An exception was made in2012,when the game was moved to Wednesday to prevent conflicts with the acceptance speech of theDemocratic National Convention.[1]Although the Kickoff Game is typically played on Thursday night, the league treats it separately from theThursday Night Footballgames during the rest of the season and as such it has been broadcast in the United States on a different network/streaming service than the one that holds the rights toThursday Night Football.
 NFL Kickoff Game logo used in 2016[a] | |
| First played | 2002 |
|---|---|
| 2024 season | |
| Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, Missouri September 5, 2024 Baltimore Ravens20 Kansas City Chiefs27 | |
The Kickoff Game was introduced in the2002 season.From 2004 onward, the currentSuper Bowlchampion has hosted the Kickoff Game with a couple of exceptions—in2013,the defending championBaltimore Ravensopened on the road because of a conflict with a previously scheduledOriolesbaseball game the same day,[2]and in2019,the defending championNew England Patriotsdid not play at all in the Kickoff Game as the league instead scheduled theGreen Bay Packersand theChicago Bearsfor that gameto celebrate its 100th season of operation.[b][3]Since the NFL began the Kickoff Game, the home team has won all but six matchups (2002, 2012,2017,2019,2022,and2023).
History
edit
The Kickoff Game was introduced in the2002 season,under the leadership of then–NFL marketing executiveJohn Collinsand then–NFL Senior Vice President of Special EventsJim Steeg.It was conceived as an effort to boost economic recovery in theNew YorkandWashingtonareas in the wake of9/11.It was considered a success, increasing NFL sponsorships by $1.9 billion over the next 14 months.[4]
ESPNtelevised the first game. In order to do so, ESPN eliminated its traditional late-October Thursday night game (held the weekend of Games 1 and 2 of theWorld Series), and replaced it with the opening night kickoff game. Because of the success of the first game, the rights to televise both the Kickoff Game and the pregame concert were transferred immediately after the season toABCas part of theirMonday Night Footballpackage. In 2006,NBCacquired the television rights to the Kickoff Game as part of theirSunday Night Footballpackage.
The concept of the NFL champion playing in an opening game was not altogether new, however. From 1934 to 1976, the first game of the pre-season was theChicago All-Star Game,anexhibition matchfeaturing the previous season's NFL champions against an all-rookie team of college all-stars held annually inSoldier FieldinChicago.
After the merger of the NFL with theAll-America Football Conference(AAFC) in 1949, the opening game of the 1950 NFL season was a Saturday night showcase game between the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles and the AAFC champion Cleveland Browns. Billed as the "World Series of Pro Football" the game matched the four-time champion Browns against the two-time champion Eagles and with an attendance of 71,000 was one of the largest pro football crowds to that date.[citation needed]
With the advent ofMonday Night Footballin 1970 it became common for the Super Bowl champion to appear in a "showcase" game the first weekend of the season. This was the case in 1978–1979, 1983, 1987–1988, 1990–1993, 1996–2000, and 2002–2003.[citation needed]
Defending Super Bowl champions are 13–5 in the Kickoff Game. TheNew York Giants,Baltimore Ravens,New England Patriots,Los Angeles Rams,andKansas City Chiefsare the only five defending Super Bowl champions to have lost. The Giants are also the only home team to have lost in the Kickoff Game twice—once in the very first edition of the contest, when the defending Super Bowl winner was not yet a regular participant, and again in 2012.
Selected details
editABC Monday Night Football
edit2003:The kickoff game's popularity and success saw it move toABCas part of theMonday Night Footballpackage. In order for the kickoff game to fit into the schedule, ABC dropped theMonday Night Footballgame held in the last week of the NFL season. That game had become increasingly unpopular because it often lacked playoff significance, and because of the undesirable possibility that a team playing on Monday night in the final week of the regular season might have to play a playoff game the following Saturday. In return, ESPN (which, like ABC, is owned byDisney) received a week 17 Saturday night game. While thedefending Super Bowl championsTampa Bay Buccaneerswere not selected for the Thursday night game, they did play a nationally televised game against thePhiladelphia Eaglesfour nights later onMNF.Instead, theWashington Redskinsdefeated theNew York Jets16–13.
2004:The tradition began that the kickoff game would be hosted by the reigningSuper Bowlchampions. Afterthe "wardrobe malfunction" incidentatSuper Bowl XXXVIII,the NFL initially canceled future plans for concerts in conjunction with the NFL Kickoff game.[5]Later in the year, however, the decision was reversed, and instead a 10-second broadcast delay was put in place.[6]
NBC Sunday Night Football
edit2006:With the change in television contracts, the Kickoff Game was moved toNBC,who held the rights toNBC Sunday Night Football.The game opposite the first weekend of World Series games was once again removed to compensate.
2008:The league and NBC agreed to move up the opening kickoff of the kickoff game, to 7 p.m., in order for coverage of theRepublican National Conventionnot to compete with the game. That game featured theWashington Redskinsand theNew York Giants.The game was also the first to be carried by Internet television in the United States, as were allSunday Night Footballgames in the 2008 season.[7]
2010:TheNew Orleans Saints,winners ofSuper Bowl XLIV,hosted the kickoff game at theLouisiana Superdomeagainst theMinnesota Vikings,a rematch of the previous season'sNFC Championship Game.There was consideration of a match-up against thePittsburgh Steelers(to create a contest between the last two Super Bowl champions) but it did not come to fruition due to various logistical reasons.[8]
2011:TheGreen Bay Packershosted the 2011 Kickoff Game after winningSuper Bowl XLV.They defeated theNew Orleans Saints,a match-up of the winners of the two previous Super Bowls, the first time this has occurred. The Saints are only the second team to have played in two consecutive kickoff games, and the first to do so not by winning two consecutive Super Bowls. In the third quarter, the Packers'Randall Cobbreturned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown, tying the NFL record for the longest such return.
2012:Similar to the situation in 2008, the NFL was faced with the prospect of having to compete with a national political convention, this time theDemocratic National Convention.Instead of moving the kickoff to 7 p.m. like in 2008, or even opening up the season on a Thursday like in past years, the league instead decided to move the 2012 Kickoff Game one day earlier to Wednesday, September 5. TheNew York Giants,winners ofSuper Bowl XLVI,hosted theirrivals,theDallas Cowboys.[9]
2013:After winningSuper Bowl XLVII,theBaltimore Ravenswere to have hosted the 2013 Kickoff Game on September 5. However, this was on the same day as a home game for theBaltimore Orioles,whose stadium,Oriole Park at Camden Yards,shares parking with the Ravens'M&T Bank Stadium.(The Orioles did not move their game to the afternoon, because they and their opponent were playing night games in other cities the preceding day.) The Ravens instead played on the road against theDenver Broncosin a rematch of theprevious season'sAFC Divisional Playoffgame.[10]During this game,Peyton Manningbecame one of only six players to have thrown seven touchdowns in a single game. He added to this feat by doing it without throwing an interception, something that has only been done once before byY. A. Tittleduring the1962 NFL season.The Ravens also had the most points scored against them in franchise history. They also suffered the biggest margin of defeat by a defendingSuper Bowlchampion on opening day in NFL history.
2015:TheNew England Patriots,after winningSuper Bowl XLIX,hosted the 2015 Kickoff Game on September 10 atGillette Stadium,with thePittsburgh Steelersas their opponent. Patriots quarterbackTom Bradywas originally not going to play due to his four-game suspension as a result of his involvement in theDeflategatescandal, but a court threw out the suspension on September 3, 2015, and ordered the league to let him play.[11]It also marked the first time NFL CommissionerRoger Goodelldid not attend a Kickoff Game, stating that he did not want to be a distraction.
2016:TheDenver Broncoshosted the 2016 Kickoff Game atSports Authority Field at Mile Highagainst theCarolina Pantherson September 8, in aSuper Bowl 50rematch. (As theRepublicanandDemocraticconventions were both scheduled for July 2016, there was no scheduling conflict with them as there was in 2008 and 2012, nor were there conflicts with any other sports team in Denver that night.) The Broncos debutedTrevor Siemianas their new starting quarterback after both quarterbacks who started games in 2015 left the team;Peyton Manning(who played the entirety of Super Bowl 50) retired andBrock Osweilerleft as a free agent.
2017:The defendingSuper Bowl LIchampions, theNew England Patriots,hosted theKansas City Chiefsfor the 2017 Kickoff Game at Gillette Stadium. Goodell visited Gillette Stadium for the Kickoff Game, having been absent from the venue since the 2014 season.
2019:TheChicago Bearshosted theGreen Bay Packersto begin the Bears' (and the league's) 100th season, which would be a reverse of a Week 1 matchup in2018where the Packers were the host on Sunday night to begin their own 100th season.[12]This broke the tradition of having the Super Bowl champion host the game; theSuper Bowl LIIIchampionNew England Patriotsinstead hosted aSunday Night Footballgame on opening weekend, against thePittsburgh Steelers.
2021:The 2021 season kicked off in Tampa Bay between the defendingSuper Bowl LVchampionTampa Bay Buccaneersand theDallas Cowboys.[13]The game marked the return of Cowboys quarterbackDak Prescottafter suffering a significant injury during Week 5 of the 2020 season; Prescott passed for 403 yards in a losing effort, as the Buccaneers secured a 31–29 victory with the winning points coming on aRyan Succopfield goal with two seconds left in the game.[14]
2022:The 2022 season kicked off in Los Angeles with the defendingSuper Bowl LVIchampionLos Angeles Ramshosting theBuffalo Bills.[15][16]A moment of silence was held before the game for theUnited Kingdom's QueenElizabeth II,who haddied earlier that day.[17]The Bills defeated the Rams 31–10, led byJosh Allenpassing for 297 yards and 7 sacks by the Bills defense.[18]
2023:The 2023 season kicked off in Kansas City with the defendingSuper Bowl LVIIchampionKansas City Chiefslosing to theDetroit Lionsat home.[19]
2024:The 2024 season kicked off for the second straight year in Kansas City with the defendingSuper Bowl LVIIIchampionKansas City Chiefsdefeating theBaltimore Ravens27–20, in a rematch of the previous season's AFC Championship game.
List of games
editWinning team appears inbold.
* – Game did not feature the defendingSuper Bowlchampions.
** – Game played on a Wednesday instead of the usual Thursday.
*** – Defending Super Bowl champions played away because of a scheduling conflict.
**** – Game was a rematch of the previous Super Bowl.
Win/loss records
edit
Teams in the table are initially ordered based on winning percentage. |
|
Pre-game concerts
edit
- 2002:"NFL Kickoff Live fromTimes Square"started at 4:30 p.m. and led up to kickoff of the game at the Meadowlands. The concert was headlined byBon Jovi(who also performed at halftime), and also featuredEnrique Iglesias,EveandAlicia Keys.The event included recognition and support of New York City's9/11memorial events.
- 2003:The event moved to theNational MallinWashington, D.C.,and was billed as "NFL Kickoff Live From The National Mall Presented ByPepsi Vanilla."Britney Spears,who was introduced by Air Force Staff Sergeant Richard W. Duken II from Leesville LA, stationed at Tinker AFB,AerosmithandMary J. Bligeheadlined the concert. The activities started at 6 p.m. and featured a tribute to troops active inIraqandAfghanistan,and was attended by thousands of American military personnel. ABC televised the concert live from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. eastern.Aretha Franklinconcluded the concert by singing thenational anthemfrom the National Mall leading up to kickoff. Three weeks later, theUnited States Senateoverwhelmingly passed legislation that, when enacted into law, limited displays of commercial sponsorship on the Mall.[43]
- 2004:After initially being cancelled, the event was reinstated, and the 2004 "NFL Opening Kickoff" took place in two locations. AtGillette StadiuminFoxborough, Massachusetts,theNew England Patriotswere honored asSuper Bowl XXXVIIIchampions. Performers at the stadium includedMary J. Blige,Destiny's Child,Elton John,Toby Keith,Lenny Kravitz,and theBoston Pops Orchestra,performingHeavy Action,the Monday Night Football theme song.Jessica Simpsonperformed from Metropolitan Park inJacksonville, Florida,site of the upcomingSuper Bowl.The concert aired live on ABC from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., just prior to gametime. The 2004 festivities firmly established the tradition of holding the game and concert at the home of the defendingSuper Bowlchampion, and also linking the event to the location of the upcoming Super Bowl.
- 2005:The fourth annual "NFL Opening Kickoff" featured concert activities from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough,Detroit(host of the upcomingSuper Bowl XL), andLos Angeles.The Super Bowl XXXIX champion New England Patriots again were honored at the event, hosted byFreddie Prinze, Jr.,and broadcast live on ABC. Performers at the stadium includedGreen Day,Carlos Santana,Michelle Branch,and a surprise appearance byOzzy Osbourne,who emerged from a giant-sized helmet.The Rolling Stoneswere shown on video from a taped broadcast in Detroit.Kanye West,Maroon 5,Good CharlotteandRihannaperformed from a red-white-and-blue stage in Los Angeles.Trisha Yearwoodconcluded the hour-long concert by singing the national anthem back at Gillette Stadium.
- 2006:The Thursday night concert and game switched to NBC for 2006, and was billed as "NFL Opening Kickoff 2006 Presented bySprint."The 30-minute concert broadcast live fromHeinz FieldinPittsburgh,and from a special stage inSouth BeachinMiami Beach,near the home of the upcomingSuper Bowl XLI.DiddyandCassieentertained from Miami Beach, whileRascal Flattswere in Pittsburgh, along withMartina McBride,who sang the national anthem.
- 2007:"NFL Opening Kickoff 2007 Presented by Sprint" was aired on NBC as a thirty-minute special hosted byNFL NetworkanchorRich Eisen.Kelly Clarksonwas the first performer, singing on a sloped, outdoor stage atMonument Circlein downtownIndianapolis.The concert moved indoors to theRCA Domewith Indiana nativeJohn Mellencampsinging his classic hit "Small Town".Billy Joelfollowed, back outside at Monument Circle.Hinderalso performed. Back inside the RCA Dome,ColtsownerJim Irsayunveiled theSuper Bowl XLIchampionship banner. The event was marred by the death of a man who fell or jumped off the ninth-floor pool deck of the Sheraton City Center overlooking Monument Circle.[44]Keyshia Colewrapped up the show singing thenational anthemwith the Voices of Unity Youth Choir ofFort Wayne.Unlike in past years, there were no performances in the host area of the Super Bowl, in this case thePhoenix, Arizonaarea (Super Bowl XLIIwas held atUniversity of Phoenix Stadiumin suburbanGlendale).
- 2008:Keith UrbanandUsherwere the featured performers at an afternoon concert atColumbus CircleinMidtown ManhattaninNew York Cityon September 4. The concert was officially called "NFL Opening Kickoff 2008 Presented byEA Sports."Media coverage includedNFL Network,NFL.com, and streaming on Sprint-branded mobile phones. NBC intercut portions of the concert into a broadcast of their2008–09 seasonfall preview show the next night, September 5 at 9 pmET/PT,8 pmCT.(Unlike in past years, there was no live broadcast on NBC because of the early kickoff and later coverage of the2008 Republican National Convention.)[45]
- 2009:"NFL Opening Kickoff 2009 Presented byEA Sports"featuredTim McGrawandThe Black Eyed Peasperforming atPoint State ParkinPittsburgh.[46]Nancy O'Dellhosted the 30-minute concert onNBC.The Tim McGraw part of the concert was a part of the Music Video for songSouthern Voice.Harry Connick Jr.sang the national anthem.
- 2010:"NFL Opening Kickoff 2010 Presented by EA SportsMadden NFL 11"featuredDave Matthews BandandTaylor Swiftperforming atJackson SquareinNew Orleans.[47]The network telecast – which for the second straight year was simulcast by NBC andNFL Network– was expanded to one hour. Pregame events ended inside the Superdome, whereHarry Connick, Jr.rode in aMardi Gras-style parade float into the stadium with team ownerTom Bensonand introduced the unveiling of the Saints' championship banner fromSuper Bowl XLIVwhileColbie Caillatsang the national anthem.
- 2011:"NFL Kickoff 2011 presented byEA Sports"was held at the parking lot ofLambeau Fieldnear theVeterans Memorial.[48]Kid Rock,Lady Antebellum,andMaroon 5performed.[49]Jordin Sparkssang the national anthem. The hour-long concert was to begin at 7:30 p.m., and was to be simulcast byNBCandNFL Network.However, for most of the nation, the pre-game coverage was switched to a simulcast at 7:00 p.m. on NFL Network,Syfy,Versus,USA,andG4due toPresident Obama'sprimetime addresstoCongress.[50]In contrast, the pregame coverage aired live as scheduled in New Orleans and most television markets in Wisconsin.
- During the pregame, 32 legendary NFL players held team flags representing each of the 32 franchises.[51]Bart Starrentered the stadium to represent thePackers.The other participants included:[52]Ron Wolfley,Steve Bartkowski,Matt Stover,Andre Reed,Muhsin Muhammad,Richard Dent,Ken Anderson,Kevin Mack,Jay Novacek,Randy Gradishar,Charlie Sanders,N. D. Kalu,Bill Brooks,Don Davey,Willie Lanier,Dwight Stephenson,John Randle,John Hannah,Deuce McAllister,Harry Carson,Al Toon,Ted Hendricks,Eric Allen,Dermontti Dawson,Aeneas Williams,Junior Seau,Dwight Clark,Cortez Kennedy,Mike Alstott,Eddie George,Larry Brown.
- 2012:"NFL Kickoff 2012 presented byEA Sports"was held in New York City with a concert held byMariah Carey,No DoubtandCee Lo Green.The national anthem was sung byQueen Latifahaccompanied by the Jubilation Choir.
- 2013:"NFL Kickoff 2013 presented byPepsi"featured a concert atBaltimore'sInner Harbor,with performances byDanielle Bradberywho performed the national anthem andKeith Urban.The introduction to the game was done on the field byRyan Seacrest,and culminated with a "countdown" to the start of the season starring 32 legendary NFL players (one from each franchise).[53]A 34-minute weather delay due to lightning occurred immediately after the concert and delayed the kickoff of the game, pushing the kickoff to 9:10 ET, 7:10 local time in Denver.
- 2014:"NFL Kickoff 2014 presented byXbox"was held outsideSeattle'sCenturyLink Field,withPharrell WilliamsandSoundgardenperforming.Ariana Grandeperformed the national anthem.[54]
- 2015:"Kickoff to 50 presented byHyundai"was held at theJustin Herman PlazainSan Francisco,California,the home ofSuper Bowl 50,withEllie GouldingandTrainperforming.[55]Dropkick Murphys,T-Pain,and theSpringfield Symphony Orchestraperformed at Gillette Stadium.Grace Pottersang the national anthem.
- 2016:"NFL Kickoff 2016 presented by Hyundai" was held atCivic Center Park,withDierks BentleyandOneRepublicperforming live.Andra Daysang the national anthem.[56]
- 2017:"NFL Kickoff 2017 presented by Hyundai" was held at the Christopher Columbus Park atBoston Harborwalk,with the Boston-based Guster performing in place ofMiguel,who was unable to perform due to an illness.Flo Ridaalso performed at the concert.[57]The concert took place after a special screening ofAmerica's Game: The 2016 New England Patriots.Maren Morrisperformed the national anthem.[58]
- 2018:"NFL Kickoff 2018 Driven by Hyundai" was held atPenn's LandinginPhiladelphia,withShawn Mendesperforming.[59]Boyz II Mensang the national anthem. A 45-minute weather delay due to a severe thunderstorm occurred immediately after the concert and delayed the kickoff of the game, pushing the kickoff back to 9:05 ET.
- 2019:"NFL Kickoff 2019 presented by EA SportsMadden NFL 20"was held atGrant ParkinChicago,withMeek Mill,Meghan TrainorandRapsodyperforming. The concert was part of the league's Inspire Change initiative of which the three artists performing at the event were among the first advocates of the season.Chance the Rapper,was originally supposed to appear in the concert, but his performance was scrapped by the league.Chicago Blackhawksanthem singerJim Cornelisonsang the national anthem.[60]
- 2020:Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,the NFL Kickoff Concert was canceled for this year, instead, the title sponsorship was given toEA Sports'Madden NFL 21video game for this year's event. NBC aired theQueen Latifahhosted "Inspire Change" special a day prior to the kickoff.Alicia Keyssang "Lift Every Voice and Sing"andChloe x Hallesang the national anthem.
- 2021:The "2021 NFL Kickoff Experience presented byEA SportsMadden NFL 22"was held atJulian B. LaneRiverfront Park. Alicia Keys, accompanied by the Florida A&M UniversityMarching 100and Concert Choir, sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing",andMichelle Williamsaccompanied byCory Henrysang the national anthem. Victory Boyd was originally going to sing the anthem at the game, but her performance was cancelled due to herCOVID-19 vaccinerefusal, which she attributed to religious reasons.[61]Ed Sheeranheadlined the pre-game concert.[62][63]
- 2022:The "2022 NFL Kickoff Experience presented byVerizon"was held atAlamitos BeachinLong Beach.[64]Halle Baileysang Lift Every Voice And Sing whileTinashesang the national anthem.J. Balvinheadlined the pre-game concert.Ozzy Osbourneperformed at the halftime show.
- 2023:The Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir performed "Lift Every Voice And Sing" whileNatalie Grantsang the national anthem.
- 2024:Tasha Cobbs Leonardsang "Lift Every Voice And Sing" whileCoco Jonessang the national anthem.
Television ratings
edit| Year | Network | Householdrating/share | Viewers (live plus same day) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | ESPN | 7.6 | 10.8 million | [65] |
| 2003 | ABC | 12.9/22 | 19.2 million | [65] |
| 2004 | ABC | 11.4/20 | 16.9 million | [65] |
| 2005 | ABC | 11.7/21 | 18.0 million | [65] |
| 2006 | NBC | 12.6/21 | 19.2 million | [65] |
| 2007 | NBC | 11.5/20 | 17.8 million | [65] |
| 2008 | NBC | 8.6/15 | 13.5 million | [65] |
| 2009 | NBC | 12.8/22 | 20.9 million | [65] |
| 2010 | NBC | 16.5/28 | 27.5 million | [65] |
| 2011 | NBC | 16.0 | 27.2 million | [65] |
| 2012 | NBC | 14.7 | 23.9 million | [65] |
| 2013 | NBC | 14.9 | 25.1 million | [65] |
| 2014 | NBC | 15.5 | 26.9 million | [65] |
| 2015 | NBC | 16.2 | 27.4 million | [65] |
| 2016 | NBC | 14.6/27 | 25.2 million | [66] |
| 2017 | NBC | 12.6/23 | 22.2 million | [67] |
| 2018 | NBC | 12.30 | 19.3 million | [68] |
| 2019 | NBC | 15.30 | 22.0 million | [69] |
| 2020 | NBC | 11.2/23 | 20.3 million | [70] |
| 2021 | NBC | TBA | 26 million† | [71] |
† Preliminary figure
Notes
edit- ^The logo year is updated annually. The then-new NFL "shield" logo was used for the first time in 2008. In 2015, an alternate black and gold version of the logo was used in preparation for that season’sSuper Bowl 50.
- ^TheBears–Packers rivalry,featuring two of the league's oldest franchises, is the most-played of all NFL rivalries; the Patriots instead played onNBC Sunday Night Football.
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