NFL, UFL and CFL minimum salaries for 2026
The NFL's minimum salary in 2026 is $885,000 for a rookie, rising with each credited season to $1,300,000 for a player of seven or more. A practice squad player is paid at least $13,750 a week, a UFL player at least $64,000 for the season, and a CFL player at least CA$70,000.
The minimum in each league
The least a club may pay a player for a season, or for a week where the league pays by the week, in the latest season we hold
| LEAGUE | SEASON | MINIMUM |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | 2026 | $885,000 |
| NFL practice squad | 2026 | $13,750 a week |
| UFL | 2026 | $64,000 |
| CFL | 2026 | CA$70,000 |
The minimum across four sports
The least each league pays a player for a season, in the latest season we hold, all in one currency
884 of the 1,367 Premier League players we hold a wage for are paid less than an NFL rookie on the minimum, whose 2026 salary works out at $17,019 a week.
The NFL minimum salary
The rookie minimum from 2020 to 2030, and below it the minimum at every step of credited seasons
season set, not yet played
| SEASON | ROOKIE | 1 SEASON | 2 SEASONS | 3 SEASONS | 4-6 SEASONS | 7+ SEASONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $610,000 | $675,000 | $750,000 | $825,000 | $910,000 | $1,050,000 |
| 2021 | $660,000 | $780,000 | $850,000 | $920,000 | $990,000 | $1,075,000 |
| 2022 | $705,000 | $825,000 | $895,000 | $965,000 | $1,035,000 | $1,120,000 |
| 2023 | $750,000 | $870,000 | $940,000 | $1,010,000 | $1,080,000 | $1,165,000 |
| 2024 | $795,000 | $915,000 | $985,000 | $1,055,000 | $1,125,000 | $1,210,000 |
| 2025 | $840,000 | $960,000 | $1,030,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,170,000 | $1,255,000 |
| 2026 | $885,000 | $1,005,000 | $1,075,000 | $1,145,000 | $1,215,000 | $1,300,000 |
| 2027 | $930,000 | $1,050,000 | $1,120,000 | $1,190,000 | $1,260,000 | $1,345,000 |
| 2028 | $975,000 | $1,095,000 | $1,165,000 | $1,235,000 | $1,305,000 | $1,390,000 |
| 2029 | $1,020,000 | $1,140,000 | $1,210,000 | $1,280,000 | $1,350,000 | $1,435,000 |
| 2030 | $1,065,000 | $1,185,000 | $1,255,000 | $1,325,000 | $1,395,000 | $1,480,000 |
Every step has risen $45,000 a season since 2021. The rookie minimum of $1,065,000 in 2030 is 74.6% more than 2020's $610,000.
NFL practice squad pay
The least a club may pay a practice squad player a week, from 2020 to 2030
season set, not yet played
| SEASON | STANDARD | VETERAN, LEAST | VETERAN, MOST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $8,400 | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| 2021 | $9,200 | $14,000 | $14,000 |
| 2022 | $11,500 | $15,400 | $19,900 |
| 2023 | $12,000 | $16,100 | $20,600 |
| 2024 | $12,500 | $16,800 | $21,300 |
| 2025 | $13,000 | $17,500 | $22,000 |
| 2026 | $13,750 | $18,350 | $22,850 |
| 2027 | $14,500 | $19,200 | $23,700 |
| 2028 | $15,250 | $20,050 | $24,550 |
| 2029 | $16,000 | $20,900 | $25,400 |
| 2030 | $16,750 | $21,750 | $26,250 |
Every practice squad player is paid at least $13,750 a week in 2026. A club also has a limited number of veteran places, open to a player of any experience, paid at least $18,350 and at most $22,850 a week. By 2030 the standard rate is $16,750.
The UFL minimum salary
The least a UFL club may pay a player for a season, since the league's first in 2024
| SEASON | MINIMUM | CHANGE |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $55,000 | - |
| 2025 | $62,005 | +12.7% |
| 2026 | $64,000 | +3.2% |
In 2026 the minimum is paid as $6,400 a game over the 10-game regular season, $64,000 in all, 16.4% more than in 2024.
The CFL minimum salary
The least a CFL club may pay a player for a season, in Canadian dollars
season set, not yet played
| SEASON | MINIMUM | CHANGE |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | CA$65,000 | - |
| 2023 | CA$70,000 | +7.7% |
| 2024 | CA$70,000 | no change |
| 2025 | CA$70,000 | no change |
| 2026 | CA$70,000 | no change |
| 2027 | CA$75,000 | +7.1% |
The 2026 minimum of CA$70,000 is $49,976. It is the same for a national, an American and a global player, has been CA$70,000 since 2023, and rises to CA$75,000 in 2027.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NFL minimum salary in 2026?
The NFL minimum salary in 2026 is $885,000 for a rookie, $1,005,000 for a player with one credited season, $1,075,000 with two, $1,145,000 with three, $1,215,000 with four to six and $1,300,000 with seven or more.
How much are NFL practice squad players paid?
A practice squad player is paid at least $13,750 a week in 2026. A veteran on one of a club's limited veteran places is paid at least $18,350 and at most $22,850.
What will the NFL minimum salary be in 2030?
The agreement sets the 2030 minimum at $1,065,000 for a rookie and $1,480,000 for a player of seven or more credited seasons.
What is the UFL minimum salary?
The UFL minimum salary is $64,000 in 2026, paid as $6,400 a game over the 10-game regular season.
What is the CFL minimum salary?
The CFL minimum salary is CA$70,000 in 2026, which is $49,976, and it rises to CA$75,000 in 2027.
Where to next
The same question in the other sports, and the rest of what American football players are paid