Countdown to Kickoff | NFL Football Operations

<!doctype html> <html lang="en-US"> <head>  <script> (function (w, d, s, l, i) { w[l] = w[l] || []; w[l].push({ 'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' }); var f = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j = d.createElement(s), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? '&l=' + l : ''; j.setAttributeNode(d.createAttribute('data-ot-ignore')); j.async = true; j.src = 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; f.parentNode.insertBefore(j, f); })(window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-NN3NNLK'); </script>  <title>Countdown to Kickoff | NFL Football Operations</title> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1,user-scalable=yes"> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="https://operations.nfl.com/favicon.ico?v=1" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="/images/css-assets/favicon.ico" /> <meta name="description" content="Go behind the scenes with NFL Football Operations to see everything needed to put on an NFL game day." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/pre-game/countdown-to-kickoff/" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/pre-game/countdown-to-kickoff/" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Countdown to Kickoff: How NFL Games Happen | NFL Football Operations" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Go behind the scenes with NFL Football Operations to see everything needed to put on an NFL game day." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://operations.nfl.com/media/2135/gameday-hero-official.jpg?width=1417&height=740&v=1d17402229e2080&quality=85" /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="651563978298394" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@NFLFootballOps"> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Countdown to Kickoff | NFL Football Operations"> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Go behind the scenes with NFL Football Operations to see everything needed to put on an NFL game day."> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://operations.nfl.com/media/2135/gameday-hero-official.jpg?width=1417&height=740&v=1d17402229e2080&quality=85"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/small.min.css?v=cFSVJp5pHoPnuI3f0RvnUhu8EPm3jPcJEpCucPWDBS8" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen and (min-width: 740px)" href="/css/medium.min.css?v=GYI6st0lCaYNp18vGk2OGtxM73YXQTxFy-AAGBRSNcQ" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen and (min-width: 890px)" href="/css/large.min.css?v=Ggy_6PBG0eKaHXLeDfSFkZdJ447im18NRVMjcDAIh1U" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen and (min-width: 1160px)" href="/css/xlarge.min.css?v=RF8_5xzJol2qSeXJWYvVT5es61SXuPmiaOLNEYzGlc8" /> <script> var _prum = [['id', '57e446b5254226bbbd7b23c6'], ['mark', 'firstbyte', (new Date()).getTime()]]; (function () { var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0] , p = document.createElement('script'); p.async = 'async'; p.src = '//rum-static.pingdom.net/prum.min.js'; s.parentNode.insertBefore(p, s); })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript">!function(T,l,y){var S=T.location,k="script",D="instrumentationKey",C="ingestionendpoint",I="disableExceptionTracking",E="ai.device.",b="toLowerCase",w="crossOrigin",N="POST",e="appInsightsSDK",t=y.name||"appInsights";(y.name||T[e])&&(T[e]=t);var n=T[t]||function(d){var g=!1,f=!1,m={initialize:!0,queue:[],sv:"5",version:2,config:d};function v(e,t){var n={},a="Browser";return n[E+"id"]=a[b](),n[E+"type"]=a,n["ai.operation.name"]=S&&S.pathname||"_unknown_",n["ai.internal.sdkVersion"]="javascript:snippet_"+(m.sv||m.version),{time:function(){var e=new Date;function t(e){var t=""+e;return 1===t.length&&(t="0"+t),t}return e.getUTCFullYear()+"-"+t(1+e.getUTCMonth())+"-"+t(e.getUTCDate())+"T"+t(e.getUTCHours())+":"+t(e.getUTCMinutes())+":"+t(e.getUTCSeconds())+"."+((e.getUTCMilliseconds()/1e3).toFixed(3)+"").slice(2,5)+"Z"}(),iKey:e,name:"Microsoft.ApplicationInsights."+e.replace(/-/g,"")+"."+t,sampleRate:100,tags:n,data:{baseData:{ver:2}}}}var h=d.url||y.src;if(h){function a(e){var t,n,a,i,r,o,s,c,u,p,l;g=!0,m.queue=[],f||(f=!0,t=h,s=function(){var e={},t=d.connectionString;if(t)for(var n=t.split(";"),a=0;a<n.length;a++){var i=n[a].split("=");2===i.length&&(e[i[0][b]()]=i[1])}if(!e[C]){var r=e.endpointsuffix,o=r?e.location:null;e[C]="https://"+(o?o+".":"")+"dc."+(r||"services.visualstudio.com")}return e}(),c=s[D]||d[D]||"",u=s[C],p=u?u+"/v2/track":d.endpointUrl,(l=[]).push((n="SDK LOAD Failure: Failed to load Application Insights SDK script (See stack for details)",a=t,i=p,(o=(r=v(c,"Exception")).data).baseType="ExceptionData",o.baseData.exceptions=[{typeName:"SDKLoadFailed",message:n.replace(/\./g,"-"),hasFullStack:!1,stack:n+"\nSnippet failed to load ["+a+"] -- Telemetry is disabled\nHelp Link: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2128109\nHost: "+(S&&S.pathname||"_unknown_")+"\nEndpoint: "+i,parsedStack:[]}],r)),l.push(function(e,t,n,a){var i=v(c,"Message"),r=i.data;r.baseType="MessageData";var o=r.baseData;return o.message='AI (Internal): 99 message:"'+("SDK LOAD Failure: Failed to load Application Insights SDK script (See stack for details) ("+n+")").replace(/\"/g,"")+'"',o.properties={endpoint:a},i}(0,0,t,p)),function(e,t){if(JSON){var n=T.fetch;if(n&&!y.useXhr)n(t,{method:N,body:JSON.stringify(e),mode:"cors"});else if(XMLHttpRequest){var a=new XMLHttpRequest;a.open(N,t),a.setRequestHeader("Content-type","application/json"),a.send(JSON.stringify(e))}}}(l,p))}function i(e,t){f||setTimeout(function(){!t&&m.core||a()},500)}var e=function(){var n=l.createElement(k);n.src=h;var e=y[w];return!e&&""!==e||"undefined"==n[w]||(n[w]=e),n.onload=i,n.onerror=a,n.onreadystatechange=function(e,t){"loaded"!==n.readyState&&"complete"!==n.readyState||i(0,t)},n}();y.ld<0?l.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(e):setTimeout(function(){l.getElementsByTagName(k)[0].parentNode.appendChild(e)},y.ld||0)}try{m.cookie=l.cookie}catch(p){}function t(e){for(;e.length;)!function(t){m[t]=function(){var e=arguments;g||m.queue.push(function(){m[t].apply(m,e)})}}(e.pop())}var n="track",r="TrackPage",o="TrackEvent";t([n+"Event",n+"PageView",n+"Exception",n+"Trace",n+"DependencyData",n+"Metric",n+"PageViewPerformance","start"+r,"stop"+r,"start"+o,"stop"+o,"addTelemetryInitializer","setAuthenticatedUserContext","clearAuthenticatedUserContext","flush"]),m.SeverityLevel={Verbose:0,Information:1,Warning:2,Error:3,Critical:4};var s=(d.extensionConfig||{}).ApplicationInsightsAnalytics||{};if(!0!==d[I]&&!0!==s[I]){var c="onerror";t(["_"+c]);var u=T[c];T[c]=function(e,t,n,a,i){var r=u&&u(e,t,n,a,i);return!0!==r&&m["_"+c]({message:e,url:t,lineNumber:n,columnNumber:a,error:i}),r},d.autoExceptionInstrumented=!0}return m}(y.cfg);function a(){y.onInit&&y.onInit(n)}(T[t]=n).queue&&0===n.queue.length?(n.queue.push(a),n.trackPageView({})):a()}(window,document,{ src: "https://js.monitor.azure.com/scripts/b/ai.2.min.js", // The SDK URL Source crossOrigin: "anonymous", cfg: { // Application Insights Configuration connectionString: 'InstrumentationKey=5d8ffcd9-df72-4da4-a0a5-dde7e9dbf35c' }});</script></head> <body class="nav-collapsed lang-en-US TopicPage">  <noscript> <iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-NN3NNLK" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> </noscript>  <script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0004"> window.fbAsyncInit = function () { FB.init({ appId: '651563978298394', autoLogAppEvents: true, xfbml: true, version: 'v3.2' }); FB.AppEvents.logPageView(); }; </script> <script async defer type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0004" src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"></script>  <header class="nav-header"> <a href="/" class="nav-header__logo--alt"> <span>NFL Football Operations</span> </a> <a class="nav-header__menu-btn" href="#main-nav" title="Menu" id="main-nav-btn">Menu</a> <a href="/" class="nav-header__logo"> <span>NFL Football Operations</span> </a> <div class="nav-header__search"> <form action="/search/" method="GET"> <label for="nav-search">Search</label> <div class="nav-header__search-input"> <input id="nav-search" type="search" name="q" placeholder="Search" autocomplete="off"> </div> <button type="submit">Search</button> </form> <span class="nav-header__search-close"></span> </div> <nav id="main-nav"> <div class="nav-header__wrap"> <ul class="nav-header__primary"> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-gameday">Gameday</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-gameday"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Gameday</div> <ul>  <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-nfl-schedule">NFL Schedule</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-nfl-schedule"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">NFL Schedule</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/gameday/nfl-schedule/2025-important-nfl-dates/">2025 Important Dates</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/nfl-schedule/creating-the-nfl-schedule/">Creating the NFL Schedule</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-pre-game">Pre-Game</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-pre-game"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Pre-Game</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/gameday/pre-game/super-bowl-lviii-field-preparation/">Super Bowl LVIII Field Preparation</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/pre-game/uniform-inspections/">Uniform Inspections</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/pre-game/countdown-to-kickoff/">Countdown to Kickoff</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-behind-the-scenes">Behind the Scenes</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-behind-the-scenes"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Behind the Scenes</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/gameday/behind-the-scenes/game-day-assistants/">Game Day Assistants</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/behind-the-scenes/nfl-event-frequency-coordinators/">Event Frequency Coordinators</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/behind-the-scenes/at-spotters/">AT Spotters</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/behind-the-scenes/nfl-equity-rule/">NFL Equity Rule</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-technology">Technology</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-technology"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Technology</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/gameday/technology/technology-and-the-game/">Technology and the Game</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/technology/nfl-next-gen-stats/">NFL Next Gen Stats</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/technology/impact-of-television/">The Impact of TV</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/technology/sideline-of-the-future/">Sideline of the Future</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-analytics">Analytics</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-analytics"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Analytics</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/gameday/analytics/big-data-bowl/">Big Data Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/analytics/stats-articles/">The Extra Point</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-innovation-and-football">Innovation and Football</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-innovation-and-football"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Innovation and Football</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/gameday/innovation-and-football/innovation/">Innovation</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/innovation-and-football/innovative-ideas/">Innovative Ideas</a></li> <li><a href="/gameday/innovation-and-football/nfl-forward/">NFL Forward</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-learn-the-game">Learn the Game</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-learn-the-game"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Learn the Game</div> <ul>  <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-nfl-basics">NFL Basics</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-nfl-basics"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">NFL Basics</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-basics/rookies-guide/">Rookie's Guide</a></li> <li><a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-basics/formations-101/">Formations 101</a></li> <li><a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-basics/terms-glossary/">Terms Glossary</a></li> <li><a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-basics/team-histories/">Team Histories</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-making-the-call">Making the Call</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-making-the-call"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Making the Call</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/learn-the-game/making-the-call/call-it-like-the-pros/">Call it Like the Pros</a></li> <li><a href="/learn-the-game/making-the-call/you-make-the-call/">You Make The Call</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-flag-football">Flag Football</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-flag-football"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Flag Football</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/learn-the-game/flag-football/flag-football-for-all/">Flag Football for All</a></li> <li><a href="/learn-the-game/flag-football/flag-football-growth/">Flag Football Growth</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li><a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-coaching-timeline/">NFL Coaching Timeline</a></li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-nfl-way-to-play">NFL Way to Play</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-nfl-way-to-play"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">NFL Way to Play</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-way-to-play/nfl-way-to-play/">NFL WTP</a></li> <li><a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-way-to-play/on-field-demonstrations/">On-Field Demonstrations</a></li> <li><a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-way-to-play/tips-for-players/">Tips for Players</a></li> <li><a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-way-to-play/tips-for-coaches/">Tips for Coaches</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-officiating">Officiating</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-officiating"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Officiating</div> <ul>  <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-the-officials">The Officials</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-the-officials"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">The Officials</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/officiating/the-officials/officials-responsibilities-positions/">Responsibilities & Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/the-officials/history-of-the-official/">History of the Official</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/the-officials/officiating-development/">Officiating Development</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/the-officials/behind-the-stripes/">Behind the Stripes</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/the-officials/2024-roster-of-nfl-officials/">2024 Officials Roster</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li><a href="/officiating/guide-to-the-officials-signals/">Guide to the Officials' Signals </a></li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-instant-replay">Instant Replay</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-instant-replay"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Instant Replay</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/officiating/instant-replay/history-of-instant-replay/">History of Instant Replay</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/instant-replay/nfl-instant-replay-process/">Replay Process</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/instant-replay/nfl-replay-officials/">NFL Replay Officials</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/instant-replay/replay-assistance-rule/">Replay Assistance Rule</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/instant-replay/hawk-eye/">Hawk-Eye</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/instant-replay/art-mcnally-gameday-central/">Art McNally GameDay Central</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li><a href="/officiating/nfl-officials-preparing-for-success/">NFL Officials: Preparing for Success </a></li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-spotlights">Spotlights</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-spotlights"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Spotlights</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/officiating/spotlights/hugh-shorty-ray/">Hugh "Shorty" Ray</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/spotlights/art-mcnally/">Art McNally</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/spotlights/burl-toler/">Burl Toler</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/spotlights/jerry-seeman/">Jerry Seeman</a></li> <li><a href="/officiating/spotlights/sarah-thomas/">Sarah Thomas</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-journey-to-the-nfl">Journey to the NFL</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-journey-to-the-nfl"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Journey to the NFL</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/play-football/">Play Football</a></li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-the-next-generation-of-nfl-stars">The Next Generation of NFL Stars</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-the-next-generation-of-nfl-stars"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">The Next Generation of NFL Stars</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-next-generation-of-nfl-stars/getting-into-the-game/">Getting Into the Game</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-next-generation-of-nfl-stars/nfl-scouting-combine/">NFL Scouting Combine</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-nfl-s-international-impact">NFL's International Impact</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-nfl-s-international-impact"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">NFL's International Impact</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-s-international-impact/the-nfl-s-international-impact/">NFL's International Impact</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-s-international-impact/international-players-road-to-the-nfl/">International Players</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-s-international-impact/the-nfl-international-series/">International Series</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-s-international-impact/international-flag-football/">International Flag Football</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-nfl-development-pipeline">NFL Development Pipeline</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-nfl-development-pipeline"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">NFL Development Pipeline</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/nfl-development-pipeline/college-player-development/">College Player Development</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/nfl-development-pipeline/college-advisory-committee/">College Advisory Committee</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/nfl-development-pipeline/nfl-rookie-transition-program/">Rookie Transition Program</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/nfl-development-pipeline/college-outreach-program/">College Outreach Program</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/nfl-development-pipeline/college-all-star-games/">All Star Games</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-the-nfl-draft">The NFL Draft</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-the-nfl-draft"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">The NFL Draft</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-draft/the-history-of-the-draft/">The History of the Draft</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-draft/the-rules-of-the-draft/">Draft Rules</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-draft/my-nfl-draft-experience/">My NFL Draft Experience</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-draft/nfl-draft-stories/">NFL Draft Stories</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-draft/to-the-nfl-rookie-class-of-2024/">To the NFL Rookie Class of 2024</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/undrafted-to-nfl-starter/">Undrafted to NFL Starter</a></li> <li><a href="/journey-to-the-nfl/nfl-women-s-community/">NFL Women’s Community</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-the-rules">The Rules</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-the-rules"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">The Rules</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/the-rules/nfl-rulebook/">2024 NFL Rulebook </a></li> <li><a href="/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/">NFL Video Rulebook</a></li> <li><a href="/the-rules/evolution-of-the-nfl-rules/">Evolution Of The Rules</a></li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-rules-changes">Rules Changes</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-rules-changes"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Rules Changes</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/the-rules/rules-changes/2024-rules-changes/">2024 Rules Changes</a></li> <li><a href="/the-rules/rules-changes/dynamic-kickoff-rule-explainer/">Dynamic Kickoff Rule Explainer </a></li> <li><a href="/the-rules/rules-changes/points-of-clarification-videos/">POC Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/the-rules/rules-changes/nfl-jersey-numbers/">NFL Jersey Numbers</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li><a href="/the-rules/nfl-overtime-rules/">NFL Overtime Rules</a></li> <li><a href="/the-rules/nfl-tie-breaking-procedures/">NFL Tie-breaking Procedures</a></li> <li><a href="/the-rules/the-nfl-competition-committee/">The NFL Competition Committee</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-inside-football-ops">Inside Football Ops</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-inside-football-ops"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Inside Football Ops</div> <ul>  <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-nfl-operations">NFL Operations</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-nfl-operations"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">NFL Operations</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/nfl-operations/the-nfl-ops-team/">NFL Ops Team</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/nfl-operations/nfl-ops-honoring-the-game/">Honoring the Game</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/nfl-operations/integrity-of-the-game/">Integrity of the Game </a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-rules-enforcement-">Rules Enforcement </a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-rules-enforcement-"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Rules Enforcement </div> <ul>  <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/nfl-rules-compliance/">NFL Rules Compliance</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/accountability-fines-appeals/">Accountability: Fines & Appeals</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/gameday-accountability/">Gameday Accountability</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-social-justice">Social Justice</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-social-justice"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Social Justice</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/social-justice/social-justice/">Social Justice</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/social-justice/inspire-change/">Inspire Change</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/social-justice/player-led-social-justice-legislation/">Player-Led SJ Legislation</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/social-justice/vet-the-vote/">Vet the Vote</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-inclusion">Inclusion</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-inclusion"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Inclusion</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/inclusion/the-rooney-rule/">Rooney Rule</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/inclusion/inclusive-hiring/">Inclusive Hiring</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/inclusion/the-nfl-and-hbcus/">NFL and HBCUs</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/inclusion/the-power-of-networking-in-the-nfl/">Networking </a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/inclusion/summits-showcase-pipeline-for-minority-coaches-gms/">Summits</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/inclusion/nfl-womens-forum/">NFL Women's Forum</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-players-legends">Players & Legends</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-players-legends"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Players & Legends</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/players-legends/2020-nfl-nflpa-cba-need-to-know/">2020 CBA</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/players-legends/evolution-of-the-nfl-player/">Evolution Of The NFL Player</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/players-legends/nfl-legends-community/">NFL Legends Community</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/players-legends/nfl-total-wellness/">NFL Total Wellness</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/players-legends/nfl-player-engagement/">NFL Player Engagement</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/players-legends/player-health-safety/">Health & Safety</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li> <a class="nav-header__submenu-toggle" href="#nav-community-impact">Community Impact</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu" id="nav-community-impact"> <a href="#" class="nav-header__back">Back</a> <div class="nav-header__submenu-toggle-title">Community Impact</div> <ul>  <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/community-impact/giving-back-to-nfl-communities/">Giving Back to NFL Communities </a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/community-impact/my-cause-my-cleats/">My Cause My Cleats</a></li> <li><a href="/inside-football-ops/community-impact/their-causes-their-impact-player-led-initiatives-a-multiplying-force-for-good/">Their Causes, Their Impact: Player-Led Initiatives a Multiplying Force for Good</a></li>  </ul> </div> </li>  </ul> </div> </li> <li><a href="/updates/">Updates</a></li> </ul> <ul class="nav-header__social"> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NFLFootballOps" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="facebook">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/nflfootballops" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="twitter">X (Twitter)</a></li> </ul> <ul class="nav-header__secondary"> <li> <a href="https://playfootball.nfl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Play Football"> <img src="/images/logo-play-football.svg" alt="Play Football" /> </a> </li> </ul> <a class="nav-header__menu-esc" href="#main-nav-btn">Close Menu</a> </div> </nav> </header>  <div class="content-frame topic " id="contentFrame"> <div class="hero hero-topic"> <button class="reduce-motion-toggle" data-pause="Reduce Motion" data-play="Resume Motion"><span>Reduce Motion</span></button> <div class="hero__bg hero__bg--img" style="background-position: center center;background-image: url(/media/2135/gameday-hero-official.jpg?width=2000&quality=90&v=1d17402229e2080);"> <div class="hero__bg--tint" style="background-color: rgba(54,66,77,0.35);"></div> </div> <div class="content"> <h1><span>Countdown to Kickoff</span></h1> <p></p> </div> </div> <div id="trigger"> <div aria-haspopup="true" class="social-share"> <h3>Share This Page</h3> <ul> <li><a class="share" href="#">Share</a></li> <li> <a class="facebook" href="#" data-method="feed" data-link="https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/pre-game/countdown-to-kickoff/" data-picture="https://operations.nfl.com/media/2135/gameday-hero-official.jpg?width=627&height=410&v=1d17402229e2080&quality=85" data-name="Countdown to Kickoff: How NFL Games Happen" data-caption="Go behind the scenes with NFL Football Operations to see everything needed to put on an NFL game day.">Facebook</a> </li> <li><a class="twitter" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/share?text=Go%20behind%20the%20scenes%20with%20NFL%20Football%20Operations%20to%20see%20everything%20needed%20to%20put%20on%20an%20NFL%20game%20day.&url=https%3A%2F%2Foperations.nfl.com%2Fgameday%2Fpre-game%2Fcountdown-to-kickoff%2F">X (Twitter)</a></li> <li><a class="email" href="mailto:?subject=Countdown to Kickoff: How NFL Games Happen&body=Go behind the scenes with NFL Football Operations to see everything needed to put on an NFL game day. https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/pre-game/countdown-to-kickoff/">Email</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-inline-container "> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="category-container"> <span class="icon game"></span> <h3><span>Pre-Game</span></h3> </div> <div class="subnav-container"> <div class="wrapper-dropdown"> <button id="subnav-dropdown">Explore This Section</button> <ul class="dropdown"> <li><a class="" href="/gameday/pre-game/super-bowl-lviii-field-preparation/" title="Super Bowl LVIII Field Preparation"><span>Super Bowl LVIII Field Preparation</span></a></li> <li><a class="" href="/gameday/pre-game/uniform-inspections/" title="Uniform Inspections"><span>Uniform Inspections</span></a></li> <li><a class="active" href="/gameday/pre-game/countdown-to-kickoff/" title="Countdown to Kickoff"><span>Countdown to Kickoff</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <a href="/learn-the-game/nfl-basics/rookies-guide/nfl-video-rulebook/" class="button"><span><b>View Video Rulebook</b></span></a> </div> </div> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <div class="full-width"> <h5>Imagine hosting an event that will be attended by 70,000 people, with millions more watching on TV. As everyone arrives at the venue or tunes in, they fully expect the event to start on time and entertain them for the next three hours, without any major glitches. </h5> </div> <p><span>And then imagine making it happen in as many as 13 cities on the same day. </span><span>Every weekend. For more than six months. </span></p> <p><span>That’s the tall order facing the NFL’s Game Operations staff week after week as they manage what goes on behind the scenes at every NFL game. Fans have come to expect that the games will run flawlessly and that they can focus their attention instead on the league’s superstars as they display their talents on the field.</span></p> <aside class="sidebar" id="expandable-aside-e7975351-4b27-4823-ae97-f4cbf0c47489"> <div class="intro"> <img src="/media/1263/sideline_personnel.jpg?mode=max&width=300" alt="Game day employees stand on the side of the field on game day."> <p>View List of Game Day Jobs</p> </div> <div class="full"> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <div class="two-cols"> <p>Here are some of the people working to put on an NFL game, week after week:</p> <ul> <li>Airway management physician (certified in rapid sequence intubation)</li> <li>Ball crew</li> <li>Certified athletic trainer (AT) injury spotters</li> <li>Chain crew</li> <li>Coach-to-Coach communication technicians</li> <li>Coach-to-Player communication technicians</li> <li>Cutoff switch operator (for coach-to-player communications)</li> <li>Down and Distance operator</li> <li>Emergency Response Physicians</li> <li>Enhanced audio technicians</li> <li>Event frequency coordinators</li> <li>Football technology representative</li> <li>Game clock operator</li> <li>Injury video review operators</li> <li>Instant Replay assistant</li> <li>Instant Replay field operators</li> <li>Instant Replay field communicator</li> <li>Instant Replay official</li> <li>Instant Replay technician</li> <li>Instant Replay video operator</li> <li>Locker room attendants</li> <li>Net crew</li> <li>Network’s sideline coordinator</li> <li>Network technician </li> <li>NFL Football Operations representative</li> <li>NFL security</li> <li>NFL sideline TV coordinator</li> <li>On-field media coordinators (provided by each club)</li> <li>Oxygen attendants</li> <li>Paramedics</li> <li>Play clock operator</li> <li>Local security representative</li> <li>Still photo technicians</li> <li>Unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants</li> <li>Uniform inspectors</li> <li>WiFi technicians</li> <li>X-ray technicians</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a data-text-swap="Close" data-text-original="Expand" class="button-red" href="#expandable-aside-e7975351-4b27-4823-ae97-f4cbf0c47489">Expand</a> </aside> <p>And that’s what fans get — week after week, season after season.</p> <p>They see the results of this hard work in the action on the field. <strong>What they often don’t see are the hundreds of people behind the scenes who appear to effortlessly manage the many moving parts and the massive mix of personnel, technology and equipment.</strong></p> <p>The locker rooms must be fully stocked with the same comforts; footballs must be properly prepared; the playing field has to be certified that it is in compliance with the strict requirements. All of the technology — the communications systems for coaches, players and game officials; Microsoft Surface tablets; coaches’ booth monitors; and instant replay and injury video review systems — must all be functional.</p> <p>All of the people, cameras and equipment on the field will be in their assigned place, and all of the pregame activity will proceed like clockwork.</p> <p>NFL Game Operations helps the home team's staff to conduct this symphony. The performance takes scores of seemingly unrelated experts performing disparate tasks, all contributing to one goal — a seamlessly executed football game: medical personnel, uniform inspectors, radio-frequency coordinators and technology troubleshooters, security guards and locker room attendants, ball crew members, clock operators, chain crews and sideline helpers.</p> <p>A representative from the NFL Football Operations department attends each game to ensure that both teams are complying with league policy and to serve as the communication liaison to the Game Day Operations Center back in New York.</p> <aside class="info normal"> <p>Check out the responsibilities of <a rel="noopener" href="/media/5823/2021-gameday-central.pdf" target="_blank" title="2021 Gameday Central">Gameday Central personnel </a>in New York.</p> </aside> <p>League staff members issue game credentials and parking passes for the NFL game day staff. They coordinate with representatives of the television networks and work with experts who certify that the fields are ready for play. They coordinate scheduling and travel for all officials.</p> <p>And they do this every week.</p> <p><strong>Success requires an organized, rigorous system that clearly defines where everyone needs to be, what tasks need to be done, and when they need to be started and completed.</strong> NFL Game Operations maintains a detailed checklist and timeline with specific instructions to make sure everything gets done.</p> <p>It begins seven days before kickoff and continues through the end of the game.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <h3>Countdown to Kickoff</h3> <p><span></span><strong>Seven days: </strong>The visiting team's equipment manager works on logistics for their arrival to the stadium, including any special items requests in the locker room.</p> <p><strong><span>Four days: </span></strong><span>The wireless coordination contact — assigned by each team’s public relations staff by NFL mandate — directs credentialed media using wireless devices to the league’s local event frequency coordinator. The coordinator controls frequency-dependent traffic for technology used by media, coaches, players, game officials, medical personnel and others. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Three days: </span></strong><span>The home team tests and certifies that its playing field complies with NFL requirements on hardness, infill depth, evenness and other factors. Any issues with the surface must be fixed, retested and certified prior to game day. </span></p> <figure class="right"> <img alt="" src="/media/2134/gameday-field-prep.jpg?mode=max&width=995"> </figure> <p><strong>24 hours: </strong>Game officials must be in the city in which they are working that week. If severe weather is anticipated, officials should arrange to arrive earlier. The crew meets the day before kickoff to reviews both teams’ tendencies and any weekly points of emphasis from the Officiating Department.</p> <p><strong>18 hours:</strong> Visiting teams traveling by airplane must be in the game city.</p> <p><strong>4 hours:</strong> All local game day assistants must arrive at the stadium and begin setting up their respective equipment/systems.</p> <p><strong>3 hours:</strong> Sideline and coaches’ booth technicians test the wireless equipment in each bench area and wired equipment in each coaches’ booth. (If the coaches’ communications system (C2C) or Coach-to-Player communication system (C2P) for one team suffers a total system failure at any point during the game, the other team’s system will be shut off until functionality is restored to the affected team). C2P technicians test and distribute C2P equipment to each club’s equipment manager. The injury video review system operator distributes a case containing fully charged radios to the visiting club’s athletic training staff at the entrance to the visiting locker room. Field technicians report to the stadium and set up field monitor systems.</p> <p><strong>2 hours, 30 minutes:</strong> The home club delivers the wireless microphone to the referee.</p> <p><strong>2 hours, 15 minutes:</strong> Each club provides 12 primary and 12 backup like-new, properly prepared Wilson official NFL footballs to the Referee for inspection. Additionally, one representative from each team can inspect and prepare the kicking balls that the officials received directly from Wilson Sporting Goods.</p> <p><strong>2 hours:</strong> C2P technicians conduct final C2P system testing with each club’s equipment manager. Sideline and coaches’ booth technicians conduct final testing on the entire C2C system. Field technicians conduct replay official equipment check at each of the field monitor stations.</p> <p><strong>2 hours:</strong> The injury video review system operators distribute radios to the local league-appointed unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants, airway management physician, emergency response physician, and AT spotters. The AT spotters — located in a stadium booth — are certified athletic trainers that help each team’s medical staff spot potential concussions or other head and neck injuries. A neurotrauma consultant on each sideline helps with assessing concussions, and one in the AT Spotter booth helps identify potential head injuries. An emergency response physician and an airway management physician (certified in rapid sequence intubation), stand between the 25- and 30-yard lines on either sideline near paramedics who have coordinated arrangements for immediate transport via police escort or medevac helicopter to a predetermined hospital.</p> <p><strong>2 hours:</strong> Game officials test the wireless microphone units (primary and backup). A member of each club’s sideline staff, designated as the liaison with the referee, keeps spare batteries for the units should they need to be replaced. The referee meets with stadium personnel at the 50-yard line of the home team’s bench area to check all necessary electronic equipment.</p> <p><strong>2 hours:</strong> All printing stations and Microsoft Surface tablets must be in place on the sidelines. These are used by the coaches for the printouts or the <a href="/gameday/technology/sideline-of-the-future/" title="Surface Pro Tablet Profile">Sideline Viewing System</a>, which lets them review images of opposing team coverages and schemes during play. The league office provides a four-person “purple hat” crew to set up the equipment; this crew will also take it down after the game ends. </p> <p><strong>2 hours: </strong>The visitor’s half of the field must be clear at least 120 minutes prior to kickoff, unless the field is tarped in accordance with league rules. </p> <p>Network sideline security meeting: Approximately two hours prior to kickoff, the local security representative, field security representative of the stadium, NFL Football Operations Representative, National Game Representative (if applicable), home and visiting PR representatives, and the television network will meet to go over sideline restriction rules for network crews.</p> <p><strong>100-minute security meeting:</strong> One hour and 40 minutes prior to kickoff, the Referee, league and club security representatives, NFL Football Operations representative, stadium security and the local senior public safety official in charge of the field meet to review procedures for responding to an emergency situation before, during or after the game.</p> <aside class="sidebar" id="expandable-aside-034597ec-7d1f-4625-bc48-576a4514b917"> <div class="intro"> <img src="/media/1430/ap774037149514.jpg?mode=max&width=300" alt="NFL Officials meet before officiating a game."> <p>The 90-Minute Officiating Meeting</p> </div> <div class="full"> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <div class="full-width"> <h5>The 90-minute officiating meeting is critical for maintaining the schedule and coordinating with broadcasters. It includes six mandatory elements, spelled out in the league’s Game Operations Manual.</h5> <p>The meeting: </p> <ol> <li>Establishes the exact time and allows key staff members to synchronize their watches.</li> <li>Confirms kickoff time — at 2, 5, or 25 minutes after the hour for daytime games.</li> <li>Reviews the pregame schedule.</li> <li>Confirms the exact time of day of the 2-minute warning that each team will be given before its players must leave their locker room for pregame player introductions.</li> <li>Reviews broadcasting policies and procedures, including reminding television representatives of the pregame schedule and that halftime will be exactly 13 minutes unless the league has previously informed the clubs and referee otherwise.</li> <li>Allows club PR representatives to deliver the Game Day Administration Report to the Referee, which includes a club’s inactive list, the primary and backup players designated to have C2P components in their helmets, and any players and/or coaches wearing microphones, and, if applicable, state the roof and/or wall designation.</li> </ol> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a data-text-swap="Close" data-text-original="Expand" class="button-red" href="#expandable-aside-034597ec-7d1f-4625-bc48-576a4514b917">Expand</a> </aside> <p><strong>90-minute officiating meeting</strong><span><strong>:</strong> One hour and 30 minutes prior to kickoff, the Referee and other game officials meet in their locker room with both teams’ PR directors, the PR departments’ sideline communications personnel, the NFL sideline TV coordinator (Green Hat), the NFL football operations representative, the TV network representative and the network’s on-field communications coordinator (Orange Sleeves). This critical meeting includes the review of broadcasting policies and procedures, exchange of Game Day Administration Reports (which includes a club’s inactive list, players designated to have C2P components in their helmets, and players/coaches wearing microphones), synchronization of watches and review of the pregame schedule, such as when each team must leave its locker room.</span></p> <p><span><strong>Field Emergency Preparedness Meeting</strong> – 90 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff, there will be a meeting of the on-field emergency medical services (EMS) crews, the airway management physician (AMP), and the emergency response physician (ERP). The purpose of this meeting is to perform checks on all emergency supplies and equipment to ensure all are present and in working order, review all emergency medication, review roles, responsibilities and procedures for responding to an on-field emergency, egress routes for hospital transport, and designated trauma center/specialty hospitals that will be used for different types of emergencies.</span></p> <p><strong>90 minutes:</strong> The grounds crew must have the tarp completely removed from the field if the field was covered due to precipitation. If the stadium has a retractable roof and/or wall, the home club notifies the referee or on-site NFL Football Operations representative whether the roof and/or wall will be open or closed during the game. An open roof or wall can be closed after this point only under certain conditions, including precipitation or if hazardous conditions, such as lightning, endanger people in the stadium.</p> <p><strong>60-Minute Medical Meeting </strong>— 60 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff, there will be a medical meeting outside of the Officials’ locker room. The head team physicians, head athletic trainers, AT spotters, UNCs, paramedic crews, airway management physician, emergency response physician, NFL Football Operations representative, and the Referee will meet to review medical procedures and protocols, verify the location of medical equipment and test communication equipment.</p> <p><strong>60 minutes:</strong> When applicable, the stadium roof and/or wall must be in its designated opened or closed position, and all lights must be turned on in domed stadiums or stadiums with a retractable roof in the closed position.</p> <p><strong>60 minutes:</strong> C2P communications technicians must be present in the bench area of each club. They remain there throughout the game. Field technicians prepare monitor stations for an equipment check by the Referee.</p> <p><strong>60 minutes:</strong> The official team warm-up period begins. Each team must warm-up on its designated half of the field, as designated in the NFL's Game Operations Manual. During warm-ups, a league <a href="/gameday/pre-game/uniform-inspections/" title="Uniform Inspectors">uniform inspector</a> checks every player to ensure that all uniforms conform to league specifications.</p> <p><strong>35 minutes:</strong> The Referee checks his microphone with the television network broadcasting the game. </p> <p><strong>20 minutes:</strong> Earliest a visiting team can be required to end its warm-ups, absent a leaguewide obligation or event being conducted on the field during the warm-up period. </p> <p><em>Within 20 minutes, the schedule varies slightly depending on the game time, the network broadcasting the game and home team production elements.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Kickoff</strong></p> </div> </div> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <h3>The Game and Beyond</h3> <p>Game day staff members continue to work throughout the game, ensuring that all the systems continue to work. They run the instant replay system; help spot and evaluate injuries; move the chains; provide game or kicking balls to the game officials; monitor and resolve frequency conflicts; assist the network’s sideline reporters; and more.</p> <p class="Body"><span>League and team personnel take down and store all of the equipment when the game ends, keeping it secure and preparing it for the next game.</span></p> <p class="Body"><span>These steps will be repeated at every stadium, every game, every week, as will all of the planning and preparation before each contest. NFL Game Operations staff members coordinate myriad employees and specialists to make sure that each contest runs smoothly for the good of the game, coaches, players and fans.</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="content-block related-content"><div class="content"> <div class="related-content-container clear"> <h2 class="header">Related Content</h2> <a class="related-content" href="/gameday/behind-the-scenes/nfl-event-frequency-coordinators/"> <div class="image-container kenburns"> <img class="related-image scale" width="352" height="235" src="https://operations.nfl.com/media/2507/surface-tablet-4.jpg?width=352&height=235&v=1d29f3608b07c80&quality=85" alt="NFL Event Frequency Coordinators"> </div> <div class="title-container game"> <h3 class="title">NFL Event Frequency Coordinators</h3> <p>Keeping the lines of communication clear on gameday.</p> </div> </a>  <a class="related-content" href="/gameday/behind-the-scenes/at-spotters/"> <div class="image-container kenburns"> <img class="related-image scale" width="352" height="235" src="https://operations.nfl.com/media/4057/atc-spotters-hero-2019.jpg?rxy=0.5,0.67428571428571427&width=352&height=235&v=1d5a55abfc07b00&quality=85" alt="AT Spotters"> </div> <div class="title-container game"> <h3 class="title">AT Spotters</h3> <p>Since 2012, AT Spotters have served as another set of eyes, watching for potential injuries from inside a stadium booth high above the field.</p> </div> </a>  <a class="related-content" href="/gameday/technology/sideline-of-the-future/"> <div class="image-container kenburns"> <img class="related-image scale" width="352" height="235" src="https://operations.nfl.com/media/4062/sideline-of-the-future-hero-2019.jpg?rxy=0.5,0.51136363636363635&width=352&height=235&v=1d5a55fc7cee980&quality=85" alt="Sideline of the Future"> </div> <div class="title-container game"> <h3 class="title">Sideline of the Future</h3> <p>The NFL and Microsoft partner to offer a new view of the game.</p> </div> </a>  </div>  </div></div> <div class="content-block pagetop game"> <div class="content"> <h3><a id="pagetop">Back to Top</a></h3> </div> </div> <div class="footer"> <div class="content"> <a href="/"> <img class="logo" src="/images/logo_nflops-lightbg300@2x.png" alt="NFL Football Operations Logo" style="width: 300px;"> </a> <ul class="footer-links"> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/#gameday--homepage-block">Gameday</a></li> <li><a href="/#learn-the-game-homepage-block">Learn the Game</a></li> <li><a href="/#officiating--homepage-block">Officiating</a></li> <li><a href="/#journey-to-the-nfl-homepage-block">Journey to the NFL</a></li> <li><a href="/#the-rules-homepage-block">The Rules</a></li> <li><a href="/#inside-football-ops-homepage-block">Inside Football Ops</a></li> <li><a href="/updates/">Updates</a></li> <li><a href="/search/">Search</a></li> </ul> <p class="intro-description"> NFL Football Operations’ mission is to establish a culture of clarity, consistency and credibility in all aspects of the greatest game. Football is an essential piece of America’s fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. We honor the game’s history while continuing to innovate and preserve the sport for future generations of fans, players, coaches, teams and officials. </p> <p class="copyright">© 2025 National Football League. All rights reserved. </p> <ul class="footer-links"> <li><a href="/football-ops/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a class="nflcom" href="https://www.nfl.com">NFL.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://privacyportal.onetrust.com/webform/46acd508-0e8d-40cd-af22-1a8bdfa6da60/224a3598-1b25-497d-9273-be255f55461c" target="_blank">Your Privacy Choices</a></li> <li><button class="ot-sdk-show-settings">Cookie Settings</button></li> </ul> </div>  </div> <div id="espanol"><a href="/es/"><span>Español</span></a></div> </div> <script> var NFLCMS = NFLCMS ? NFLCMS : {}; NFLCMS.nodeId = 1335 ; NFLCMS.contentType = "TopicPage"; NFLCMS.disableCustomAnalytics = false; </script> <script integrity="sha256-/xUj+3OJU5yExlq6GSYGSHk7tPXikynS7ogEvDej/m4=" crossorigin="anonymous" src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script> <script> if (typeof jQuery == 'undefined') { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.type = 'text/javascript'; script.src = '/js/jquery.js'; document.appendChild(script); } </script> <script src="/js/main.js?v=8ml0ZwpGkLOgIOyDl38ZtLgR0QE_E4pd0QwVQqttJMk"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Countdown to Kickoff | NFL Football Operations