The NFL has a long history of opening its season on Labor Day weekend, but this tradition has come to an end. Twenty-three years ago, the league made the decision to stop starting the season on this weekend and instead kick off the weekend after Labor Day. At the time, the league said that this change was in response to fan demand for more leisurely summer days. However, it was also a business decision as the NFL realized that competing for TV viewership during Labor Day weekend activities was not beneficial.
Now, with talks of expanding the season to 18 games, there may be a need to reconsider playing games on Labor Day weekend once again. With technological advancements allowing people to watch games on portable devices, the league could potentially attract a larger audience by creating a five-night opening weekend event. By utilizing Labor Day weekend for games, the NFL could increase viewership and revenue.
While there is no indication that the NFL has reconsidered playing games on Labor Day weekend, it may be worth exploring. Similar to Thanksgiving and Christmas games, Labor Day weekend games could draw in a large audience and generate significant revenue for the league. By adapting to the changing times and considering new opportunities for growth, the NFL may find success in returning to opening the season on Labor Day weekend once again.
