ESPN has unveiled the complete set of approximate start times for the 2025 Southeastern Conference (SEC) football season, providing fans with a comprehensive look at when their favorite teams will take the field this fall. The announcement, made during the “SEC Now: Inside the 2025 Schedule” special on SEC Network, featured host Dari Nowkhah alongside analysts Roman Harper and Chris Doering, who offered in-depth analysis of the upcoming college football campaign.
Key Matchups Set for Week 5
Week 5 of the 2025 season is already drawing attention with a pair of high-profile showdowns scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27. At noon ET, Notre Dame will travel to Fayetteville for a first-ever matchup against Arkansas, airing on ABC. The action continues in primetime as Alabama faces Georgia in Athens for the 75th meeting between the two storied programs. The game will be featured on ABC’s Saturday Night Football Presented by Capital One, promising a marquee showdown “between the hedges.”
Standardized Television Windows Introduced
Beginning with Week 4 on Sept. 20, all SEC-controlled games will be assigned specific television windows. Select contests will be designated as Flex games, allowing them to shift between Afternoon and Night slots. This scheduling approach is a direct result of the rights agreement between the SEC and ESPN, which began last fall and now allows for increased transparency and advance notice for fans.
The defined television windows for Weeks 4 through 14 are as follows:
- Early: Noon to 1 p.m. ET start
- Afternoon: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET start
- Night: 6 to 8 p.m. ET start
- Flex: Games that may be scheduled between the Afternoon (3:30-4:30 p.m.) and Night (6-8 p.m.) windows
For each window, the exact kickoff time will be confirmed no later than six days prior to the game unless otherwise specified.
Expanded Coverage Across ESPN Platforms
The new schedule ensures that fans will have access to every SEC-controlled game, with matchups broadcast across ABC, ESPN, and the SEC Network. Previously announced start times for the first three weeks remain in effect, while the new approach to game windows provides greater predictability for the remainder of the season.
With the full slate of start times now public, anticipation is building for what promises to be a dramatic and highly competitive 2025 SEC football season.
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