NFL reaches seven-year deal with referees

The NFL has reached a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement with its referees union and is preparing to announce its 2026 season schedule (Luke Hales)

(Luke Hales/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)

The NFL has reached a seven-year collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association to replace a deal expiring at the end of this month, both sides announced on Friday.

The new agreement will run through the 2032 campaign after being approved by the NFLRA board of directors and ratified by a vote of the union's members.

"This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating," said NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent.

"It also speaks to the game officials' relentless pursuit of improvement and officiating excellence. We look forward to working together for the betterment of the game."

There had been concerns about the league using substitute referees, a move tried before with mixed reviews at best.

The deal includes new terms on economics, officiating performance and accountability.

"It was a mutual and determined effort and the outcome is seven years of certainty for the league and the officials," NFLRA executive director Scott Green said.

"We see this new CBA as a partnership with the league that benefits our membership but also seeks to make our game better," NFLRA president Carl Cheffers said. "It's good to get these negotiations behind us so we can focus on preparing for the 2026 season."

The NFL also announced it will release the complete 2026 season schedule on Thursday, May 14.

NFL broadcast partners are expected to reveal details of select games next week in earlier announcements.

The NFL will announce remaining international games details next Wednesday. Nine overseas contests are planned including three in London and others in Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Paris, Munich and Rio De Janeiro.

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