NFL Rules for an Open or Closed Roof on Stadiums

With more and more NFL franchises building retractable roof stadiums, the National Football League has found the need to clarify the open and closed rules for these types of stadiums. The NFL has certain rules regarding retractable roofs and each football team has additional rules regarding the retractable roofs in their respective stadiums.

  1. Regular Game Play

    • The home team must decide whether the roof will be open or closed during game play at least 90 minutes before kickoff. If the game begins with the roof closed, the roof must remain closed for the entire game. If during the game, officials close the roof due to adverse or changing weather conditions, officials cannot reopen the roof and it must remain closed for the rest of the game. These rules apply to all preseason and regular season games.

    End of Game and Overtime

    • During the final five minutes of the fourth quarter of any regular play game, officials cannot close the retractable roof regardless of adverse or changing weather conditions. If the game goes into overtime, the officials cannot close the roof anytime before or during the sudden death overtime game play. However, if the weather becomes hazardous to fans and players, like in the case of lightning or hail, NFL officials can decide to close the roof for everyone's protection.

    Playoff and Superbowl Games

    • If a divisional playoff or Superbowl game is set to take place in a retractable roof stadium, the NFL decides whether the roof will be open or closed during game play. Once the NFL makes its decision, regular game play and end of game and overtime roof rules apply. If the roof is open at the beginning of the game, it must remain open except in the case of adverse or dangerous weather conditions. If officials close the roof at the beginning of the playoff game or Superbowl, it must remain closed for the entire game.