nflverse Data Update and Availability Schedule
Source:vignettes/articles/nflverse_data_schedule.Rmd
nflverse_data_schedule.Rmdnflreadr provides a wide range of NFL related data. This
is powered by an extensive, automated data infrastructure. This article
provides information on update and availability schedules, as this is a
pressing question for many nflverse users, especially right before the
start of a season.
Automation Status
The following table reports on the status and last update times of nflverse data pipelines.
| Data | Status | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|
| pbp_raw |  |
 |
| pbp |  |
 |
| stats_player |  |
 |
| stats_team |  |
 |
| rosters |  |
 |
| players |  |
 |
| snap_counts |  |
 |
| draft_picks |  |
 |
| pfr_advstats |  |
 |
| nextgen_stats |  |
 |
| injuries |  |
 |
| depth_charts |  |
 |
| combine |  |
 |
| nfl4th |  |
|
| ffverse player IDs |  |
|
| ffverse rankings |  |
|
| contracts |  |
 |
nflverse Play-by-Play Data
There are three ways to obtain nflverse pbp data.
- We recommend using
nflreadr::load_pbp()ornflfastR::load_pbp()as the primary method of retrieving pbp data. This uses our automated data infrastructure to download clean data, and we update this on a nightly basis after each game day (and additionally at specific points on game days) during the season. - If this is not quick enough,
nflfastR::build_nflfastR_pbp()parses raw pbp json files we save, usually available within 15 minutes after a game has ended. - If you have a SQL database,
nflfastR::update_db()helps maintain a pbp database. It usesnflfastR::build_nflfastR_pbp()so can be run on the same schedule (i.e. within 15 minutes after a game has ended).
In all cases, it is recommended to update the data again during the
night from Wednesday to Thursday in order to also receive the stat
corrections that the NFL will incorporate from Monday to Wednesday at
the latest. -> Thursday’s load_pbp() is the cleanest
data we have.
nflverse Player and Team Stats
Player stats and Team stats are computed on the same schedule as play-by-play data, i.e. on a nightly basis after each game day (and additionally at specific points on game days) during the season.
At the moment, it is not possible to speed up this process with a
function in nflfastR. Even nflfastR::calculate_stats
requires automated data. If this is too slow for you, please contact us
on nflverse discord.
If there is high demand, this may be adjusted.
nflverse-FTN Charting Data
ftn charting data updates every day at 0, 6, 12, 18 UTC during the season. The actual availability of new data depends on the update schedule of FTN.
nflverse Participation Data
Participation data prior to 2023 is from NFL NGS. The data source died during the 2023 season.
Participation data from 2023 onwards is courtesy of FTN and is provided after all post-season games are completed. It does not update during the season!
nflverse Game/Schedule Data
Game/Schedule data updates very 5 minutes during the season.
nflverse Roster Data
Roster data updates every day at 7AM UTC.
Player Level Weekly NFL Next Gen Stats
Player level weekly stats provided by NFL Next Gen Stats update every night (in the range of 3 am - 5 am ET) during the season. The actual availability of new data depends on the update schedule of NGS.
PFR Snap Count Data
Snap Count data updates every day at 0, 6, 12, 18 UTC during the season. The actual availability of new data depends on the update schedule of PFR.
PFR Advanced Stats
PFR Advanced Stats updates every day at 7AM UTC during the season. The actual availability of new data depends on the update schedule of PFR.
Depth Chart Data
Depth Charts update every day at 7AM UTC throughout the year.
Please note that the data source has changed after the 2024 season. From 2025 onwards, depth charts are not assigned a week. Instead, each update provides a new ISO8601-formatted timestamp that users can assign to any point in time during the season. Each update is appended to the existing data with a new timestamp.