What Is the ‘NFL’ in Sports?

“NFL” stands for the National Football League.

It is the undisputed king of sports in the United States. Just as the Premier League is the top tier for English soccer, the NFL is the highest level of professional American football in the world.

Key Facts to Know

• The Teams: There are 32 teams in total. They are split into two conferences: the NFC (National Football Conference) and the AFC (American Football Conference).
• The Season: The regular season is a sprint, not a marathon. Each team plays only 17 games (once a week) from September to January. Because there are so few games, every single one is a massive event.
• The “Super Bowl”: The season ends with the playoffs and culminates in the Super Bowl every February. This isn’t just a championship game; it is usually the most-watched television event of the entire year in the US.