🏟️ Sports & Recruiting Calendar: 2025–26

Sports never sleep. From high school championships to March Madness and the Super Bowl, every season brings its own big moments. Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the sports calendar — covering high school, college, pro sports, and recruiting milestones for athletes and fans.

🔹 August – Season Kickoff

• High School: Fall practices begin; football and volleyball seasons open.

• College: NCAA football camps; women’s soccer and volleyball regular seasons start.

• Pro: NFL preseason; MLB playoff races heating up; MLS late-season push.

• Recruiting: Sept. 1 is a key date — many sports allow coaches to start contacting juniors.

🔹 September – Fall in Full Swing

• High School: Friday night football, cross country meets, and league play across fall sports.

• College: College football Saturdays dominate; NCAA volleyball and soccer in full swing.

• Pro: NFL regular season kicks off; MLB postseason races; MLS continues.

• Recruiting: More direct contact between college coaches and recruits begins.

🔹 October – Rivalries & Playoffs

• High School: Regular seasons wrap up; fall playoff brackets set.

• College: Key conference matchups in football; college hockey season begins.

• Pro: NBA and NHL regular seasons begin; NFL mid-season; MLB playoffs and World Series.

• Recruiting: Fall showcases, campus visits, and evaluations.

🔹 November – Championship Month

• High School: Football playoffs; volleyball and cross country championships.

• College: Rivalry football games; NCAA soccer and volleyball tournaments.

• Pro: NFL mid-season; NBA and NHL heating up.

• Recruiting: NCAA “dead periods” in some sports limit recruiting contact.

🔹 December – Winter Sports Begin

• High School: Football state championships; basketball and wrestling seasons start.

• College: Bowl games begin; NCAA volleyball championship.

• Pro: NFL playoff push; NBA and NHL holiday slates.

• Recruiting: Early football signing period in mid-December.

🔹 January – New Year, New Seasons

• High School: Basketball, wrestling, swimming, and indoor track in full swing.

• College: Conference play in basketball; mid-season hockey.

• Pro: NFL playoffs; NBA and NHL mid-season form.

• Recruiting: High school all-star games (Under Armour, All-American Bowl) spotlight top football recruits.

🔹 February – Signing & Championships

• High School: State tournaments in basketball and wrestling.

• College: National Signing Day (first Wednesday of February); basketball rivalry games.

• Pro: Super Bowl; NBA and NHL playoff positioning; MLB spring training begins.

• Recruiting: Junior Days at many colleges; key milestone month for football recruiting.

🔹 March – Madness Everywhere

• High School: Winter state championships wrap up; spring sports begin.

• College: March Madness; NCAA hockey postseason.

• Pro: NBA/NHL playoff pushes; MLB Opening Day.

• Recruiting: Spring evaluation periods open; unofficial visits popular.

🔹 April – Playoffs & Showcases

• High School: Baseball, lacrosse, and track seasons underway.

• College: NCAA Frozen Four and Final Four; spring football games.

• Pro: NBA and NHL playoffs begin; MLB in full swing.

• Recruiting: Spring showcases for football, basketball, and baseball players.

🔹 May – Crowning Champions

• High School: State championships in baseball, track, lacrosse, and soccer.

• College: NCAA baseball, softball, and lacrosse tournaments.

• Pro: NBA and NHL playoffs; MLB rolling; MLS in full season mode.

• Recruiting: Exposure events and spring showcases key for underclassmen.

🔹 June – July – Camps & Exposure

• High School: Summer workouts, 7-on-7 football, AAU basketball, and club baseball.

• College: College World Series; summer football workouts.

• Pro: MLB mid-season; MLS ongoing; NBA and NHL Drafts highlight next generation of stars.

• Recruiting: Camp season at colleges; summer showcases are the #1 recruiting window.

🎯 Recruiting Quick Hits

• June 15 before junior year – first NCAA recruiting contact date for many sports.

• July 1 before senior year – expanded communication, off-campus contact allowed.

• Summer camps & showcases – biggest opportunities for athletes to be seen by coaches.

• Academics matter – GPA and test scores still decide eligibility for many athletes.

🏅 Final Word

From Friday night football to March Madness and the Super Bowl, the sports calendar is packed with can’t-miss moments. For athletes, families, and fans alike, keeping track of these dates ensures you never miss the action — or the chance to take the next step in your career.