Do NFL Players Share Hotel Rooms

NFL fans often wonder what life is like for players away from the field. One common question is simple but interesting: do NFL players share hotel rooms? The short answer is that it depends on the team, the time of year, and the player’s status. Many NFL players now get their own rooms on road trips, especially during the regular season and playoffs. However, sharing still happens at training camp and sometimes for rookies or during preseason. In this article, we will break down how room assignments really work, why policies changed over time, and what players experience in hotels during the season. The goal is to make it easy, clear, and friendly for beginners who are curious about the NFL lifestyle.

The short answer: Do NFL players share hotel rooms?

Today, most NFL teams give players their own hotel rooms for regular-season road games. This trend grew stronger in recent years as teams focused on sleep quality, recovery, privacy, and health protocols. COVID-19 precautions also pushed teams toward single rooms, and many did not fully return to shared rooms afterward.

Sharing is still common in training camp, when teams stay at a hotel or dorm near the facility. Rookies are the most likely to share, both in camp and sometimes during preseason road trips when roster sizes are larger. Some teams also allow veterans to choose a roommate if they prefer, but the default for many clubs on road trips is now a single room for each player.

So the full answer is: during the regular season, most players have single rooms on the road. During training camp and sometimes during preseason, sharing happens more often. Policies can vary by team and can change from year to year.

Why many teams choose single rooms today

Sleep and performance

Sleep is one of the biggest performance factors in pro sports. Players need strong sleep to recover from hits, learn game plans, and stay sharp on game day. A shared room can mean different sleep schedules, late-night calls, bathroom trips, or snoring that wakes the other person. A single room gives each player control over the sleep environment: lights, temperature, white noise, and bedtime.

Teams invest millions of dollars in performance. A bad night’s sleep can affect reaction time, mood, and decision-making. Single rooms lower the risk of sleep disruption and can help deliver a more consistent routine from week to week.

Recovery and medical needs

Many players use recovery tools in their rooms: compression boots, massage guns, ice baths (when available in the hotel), or stretching routines on the floor. Some players have injuries that require extra space, privacy, and flexibility to use devices at odd hours. Single rooms make it easier to manage a personal recovery plan without worrying about bothering a roommate.

There are also medical considerations like late-night treatments with athletic trainers, taping early in the morning, or rehab exercises. Private rooms keep things simple and comfortable for both the player and the medical staff.

Mental focus and privacy

Road trips are not vacations. The nights before games are filled with meetings, film study, reviewing the call sheet, and mental reps. Many veterans feel they focus better in a quiet, private room. Some players also like to meditate or visualize plays before bed. Privacy gives them a clean headspace to prepare.

Personal privacy also matters for family calls, personal routines, and managing stress. Players often say that keeping a calm environment helps them stay locked in for the game.

Logistics and health protocols

Health protocols in recent years encouraged more space and fewer shared environments. Even as rules relaxed, many teams kept single rooms because they fit the larger focus on wellness and consistency. Teams also learned that single rooms reduce distractions, cut down on minor conflicts, and make it easier to enforce quiet hours and curfews.

When and why players share rooms

Training camp traditions

Training camp is a unique part of the NFL year. Teams practice twice a day, hold long meetings, and evaluate dozens of players fighting for roster spots. Many clubs house players together at a nearby hotel or dorm. Sharing rooms in camp is common and traditional. It creates structure, builds discipline, and helps players bond, especially across position groups.

Living with a teammate for a few weeks can also teach younger players what veterans do to prepare. It can be a practical classroom for how to be a pro: when to study, how to eat, and how to recover.

Rookies and mentorship

Rookies often share rooms during camp because it promotes mentorship. Teams sometimes pair a rookie with a veteran in the same position group or with another young player who has similar schedules. This pairing can make it easier for a rookie to learn the morning routine, understand meeting expectations, and pick up small details about the playbook.

Some teams formalize mentorship with roommate pairing. Others keep rookies together to build friendships with their draft class and undrafted peers. Either way, sharing in camp is part of growing into the NFL lifestyle.

Preseason and expanded rosters

Preseason rosters are larger than the regular season 53-man roster. With more players traveling, hotel blocks can get crowded and budgets can stretch. This is one of the times when teams are more likely to use shared rooms on the road, especially for players who are competing for roster spots.

By the time the regular season starts, the roster is smaller and most teams move back to single rooms for travel. The shift mirrors the higher stakes of regular-season games and the need to support consistency for starters and key contributors.

Cost control and simplicity

NFL teams have huge budgets, but costs still matter when you multiply rooms by the number of nights, cities, and support staff. Sharing rooms reduces the total number of rooms needed, which can simplify bookings and transportation. While cost is not the main driver, it can be part of the decision in camp or preseason when headcounts are highest.

For most regular-season travel, teams decide that performance benefits are worth the extra cost of single rooms. Coaches want players to sleep well and follow their own routines.

Team bonding and accountability

Sharing rooms during camp also builds accountability. If one player oversleeps, the roommate can wake him up. If one player is distracted, the other can help keep focus. Roommates often become friends who study together, talk through the playbook, and share the pressure of making the team.

That said, teams try to balance bonding with rest. Off-field team activities, group meals, and meeting-room time also create plenty of bonding opportunities without the need to share rooms year-round.

Differences by team, role, and situation

Veterans versus rookies

Veterans often have more say in rooming decisions. Many teams automatically give veterans single rooms on road trips. Rookies might share during camp and sometimes during preseason games. As rookies earn trust and become core players, they are more likely to receive single rooms consistently.

Coaches may also give captains and starting quarterbacks a single room to manage heavy study loads, media responsibilities, and late-night reviews with coaches.

Practice squad and elevations

Practice squad players can travel if the team plans to elevate them for a game or if they are designated as reserves. Travel rules can vary, but many teams house elevated players the same as active-roster players that week, often with single rooms during the regular season. In preseason or camp, practice squad candidates are more likely to share.

International games and special trips

International games, such as those in London or Germany, involve longer stays and more logistics. Many teams choose single rooms to keep routines stable, manage jet lag, and reduce the chance of sleep disruption. The travel schedule often includes extra nights abroad, so privacy and recovery become even more important.

Special trips like joint practices with another team or neutral-site games can also lead to unique housing policies, but most clubs still aim for single rooms for key players when possible.

Playoffs and prime-time games

In the playoffs, every edge matters. Teams usually emphasize sleep, recovery, and mental focus even more. Single rooms are the standard in many organizations by this stage. For late prime-time games, teams sometimes adjust meeting times and quiet hours, and private rooms make those adjustments easier for individuals.

Injured reserve and rehabbing players

Players on injured reserve typically do not travel unless the team chooses to include them for leadership or support. When they do travel, they often have single rooms to manage rehab and medical needs. If a player is rehabbing off-site and joins the team later, the rooming plan is usually tailored to medical schedules and treatment plans.

Coaches and support staff

Coaches and support staff also need rooms, and many of them receive single rooms because their schedules are intense. They often work late into the night preparing game plans, cutting film, and updating call sheets. Trainers and equipment staff may share depending on team policy and the size of the travel party.

How room assignments actually work

The travel department and advance team

Every NFL club has staff who handle travel: booking flights, buses, and hotel blocks. An “advance” staff member often arrives in the road city early to check meeting rooms, meal setups, security, and room assignments. The goal is to make sure everything is ready so players can just show up and focus on football.

Hotels are chosen for meeting space, location, security, consistent beds and pillows, blackout curtains, and the ability to serve large meal groups. The travel staff also plans for special requests like extra pillows, humidifiers, or small fridges for recovery drinks.

Rooming lists and last-minute changes

Before a trip, the team issues a rooming list. If the policy is single rooms, each player sees his room number and check-in details. If there are shared rooms, the list shows pairings. Injuries, call-ups, and late roster moves can force quick changes, so the travel staff keeps a few extra rooms available when possible.

Players sometimes request a different roommate or a quiet room away from elevators and ice machines. Teams try to honor these requests when they can without disrupting the overall plan.

Curfews, bed checks, and security

Most teams set a curfew the night before the game. Coaches and staff may do bed checks to make sure everyone is in their rooms, though the approach varies by team. Security staff often monitors entrances and elevators, and players are expected to keep a professional standard while at the team hotel.

Single rooms can make curfew enforcement simpler because each player is responsible for his own check-in. With shared rooms, both players need to be present on time, and roommates can help keep each other accountable.

Incidentals and room charges

The team pays the base room rate and taxes. Players are responsible for incidentals like movies, personal room service, or mini-bar charges. Most teams put a credit card on file or require a card from the player at check-in to cover incidental expenses. Meal rooms and team-provided meals reduce the need for personal charges, but the option is there.

Because meetings run late and nutrition is planned, players usually eat in team meal rooms instead of ordering room service. Hydration stations and snack setups are available to help players stay fueled without extra charges.

Late arrivals and red-eye returns

Some road trips involve late arrivals due to weather delays or long flights. Teams plan for this with simplified check-in and late-night snack setups. After games, teams often fly home the same night. If they arrive extremely late, they may still go straight to the facility rather than staying over. Hotels are used for pregame nights, while postgame nights are rare unless travel demands it.

Hotel life on the road

Typical game-week road schedule

Game-week travel is structured. The team has a walk-through at home, boards the flight, arrives at the hotel, and follows a set schedule: check-in, quick snack, special teams meeting, offense and defense meetings, position groups, and a team meeting. Then there is a window for treatment and personal preparation before quiet hours.

With single rooms, players can review game plans without worrying about disturbing a roommate. With shared rooms, they often set simple rules about lights, noise, and study time to respect each other’s routine.

Meeting rooms and meal rooms

Hotels convert ballrooms into meeting spaces with projectors, film screens, and whiteboards. Teams also set up a meal room with protein options, complex carbs, vegetables, fruit, and hydration choices. The idea is to keep players in a controlled environment where they can get everything they need without leaving the hotel.

This setup reduces distractions. It also lets nutrition staff monitor what players eat and when, helping each player meet his game-day plan.

Nutrition and hydration

Players follow individualized nutrition and hydration plans. Linemen often eat more total calories, while speed positions might focus on lighter meals closer to bedtime. Team chefs and nutritionists work with the hotel to prepare menus that fit both. Snacks like yogurt, nuts, bananas, oatmeal, and lean proteins are common.

Electrolyte drinks, water, and recovery shakes are available at set times. With private rooms, players can also store personal items like hydration tablets or protein supplements without worrying about cluttering a shared space.

Sleep routines and quiet hours

Quiet hours start after meetings, and staff encourages minimal phone use, limited screens, and blue-light filters to improve sleep quality. Players may use earplugs, sleep masks, or white-noise apps. With single rooms, these choices are personal and easy to manage. If rooms are shared, players coordinate lights-out times and agree on alarm settings.

Consistency matters. Many players try to keep the same bedtime and wake time for every road game, regardless of time zone shifts, to keep their body clocks steady.

Game day departure logistics

On game day, the schedule is precise. Players wake, eat a pre-planned meal, and attend brief meetings or walk-throughs if needed. Buses leave in waves for the stadium, and players must be on the right bus based on role and timing. The team collects luggage ahead of time, and rooms are cleared before departure unless there is a late checkout arrangement.

Single rooms streamline this process because each player controls his space and timing. With shared rooms, roommates double-check each other’s gear and timing, which can be helpful but also requires coordination.

Training camp housing explained

On-site facilities versus off-site dorms

Some teams run camp at their own facility and house players in a nearby hotel. Others still use college campuses or partner hotels near their practice fields. Rooms are often modest and practical, with easy access to meeting rooms, training rooms, and the cafeteria.

Shared rooms are common at camp because the daily schedule is long and intense, and teams want players near each other for quick transitions between meetings, meals, and practices.

Roommate matching strategies

When teams assign roommates in camp, they try to match schedule, personality, and position group. Two rookies might room together to build a bond. A veteran might be paired with a rookie to teach routines. Quiet players can be grouped so they do not clash with louder personalities.

Coaches and support staff hear feedback. If a pairing does not work, the team can adjust. The goal is to create a comfortable environment where both players can thrive under camp pressure.

Camp rules, curfews, and check-ins

Camp has strict curfews, early wake-ups, and frequent check-ins. Roommates hold each other accountable for bedtimes and morning alarms. Because days are so long, even a small sleep loss can build up, so teams emphasize quiet hours and respect for shared space.

Meals are scheduled by position group or practice block, and treatment windows are posted. In shared rooms, players keep gear organized to avoid clutter and missed items. Simple habits like laying out clothes and taping lists to the door help both roommates stay on time.

When veterans get single rooms at camp

Some clubs reward senior players with single rooms late in camp or after the first week. Others keep everyone in shared rooms to maintain a level field and encourage bonding. The exact approach is a team-by-team choice, and sometimes it changes year to year based on leadership preferences.

Even when a veteran gets a single room, he still spends most of the day with teammates in meetings, the weight room, and the cafeteria. Camp is about togetherness and learning the playbook, no matter the room setup.

Money matters: who pays and what the rules say

Team-paid travel and lodging

NFL teams pay for travel and hotel rooms on official trips. That includes road games, many preseason trips, and special events like international games. The organization handles the arrangements, and players receive their room keys at check-in or on the bus.

The cost is part of the team’s football operations budget. The size of the travel party can vary by game, but the club covers the core expenses so players do not have to worry about logistics.

Per diem meal money

Players receive per diem meal money according to league rules and team policy. Even with per diem, teams still provide meals at the hotel to keep nutrition consistent. Per diem gives players flexibility for snacks or personal choices, especially on free time or travel days.

On most nights, the team’s meal room has everything players need, so many players do not spend much of their per diem until after the game or on the flight home.

Single-room upgrades and policies

In the past, some teams allowed players to pay extra for a single room if shared rooms were the default. Today, because many clubs already provide single rooms during the regular season, this upgrade is less common. During camp or preseason, policies vary: some teams keep shared rooms for everyone; others make exceptions for veterans or specific needs.

When exceptions are made, staff tries to stay fair and consistent. Player leadership councils sometimes weigh in on these decisions to represent the locker room’s voice.

Player preferences and etiquette

Good roommate habits

When players do share a room, a few simple habits make life easier. Communicate about lights-out time. Keep gear organized and off the other person’s side. Agree on alarm settings and backup alarms. Use headphones for calls or film study late at night.

Respect builds trust. Even a small gesture like giving the roommate privacy for a quick family call can go a long way when stress is high.

Managing sleep differences

Not everyone falls asleep at the same time. A wide receiver might like to review plays late, while a lineman prefers to sleep early. To manage differences, players use eye masks, earplugs, or quiet study methods. Some teams pair night owls with night owls and early birds with early birds to reduce conflict.

When single rooms are available, this issue goes away. That is one reason single rooms are common during the regular season.

Noise, light, and temperature

Shared rooms can spark debates over room temperature, the TV, or white noise. Simple agreements solve most problems: set a middle temperature, use headphones for TV, or keep a small fan for personal airflow. If someone snores, earplugs or a white-noise app can help.

Single rooms let each player fine-tune the sleep environment, which is one of the biggest performance benefits of private rooms.

Respect for recovery gear and medical devices

Recovery gear can be noisy or bulky. Compression boots whoosh air, and muscle stimulators beep. When sharing, players coordinate their recovery windows so they do not disturb each other. They also keep cords and devices organized to avoid tripping hazards at night.

With single rooms, players can use recovery tools at any time and leave them set up between sessions without worrying about space.

Myths and realities

Myth: All NFL players share hotel rooms

This used to be more common decades ago, but it is not the norm today. Many teams provide single rooms on regular-season road trips, especially for veterans and starters. Sharing still happens in training camp and sometimes in preseason, but the league has moved toward private rooms for performance reasons.

Myth: Sharing rooms saves huge amounts of money

Sharing rooms does reduce costs, but teams already spend heavily to support performance. Compared to the full cost of operating an NFL team, the savings from sharing rooms on a few trips is modest. When wins and player health are on the line, most clubs choose what helps players perform best, which is often single rooms.

Reality: Policies evolve with performance science

As performance science improved, teams learned how crucial sleep, routine, and mental space are for elite play. Health events and travel complexity also changed how teams think. What was standard years ago may not be standard now. Many teams now view single rooms as part of professional preparation, not a luxury.

Pros and cons summary

Benefits of single rooms

Single rooms offer better sleep, privacy, and control over routines. Players can adjust lights, temperature, and noise. They can do recovery work late at night without bothering anyone. Film study and mental prep are easier. Private rooms also simplify curfews and reduce small frictions that can build up during a long season.

Benefits of shared rooms

Shared rooms build bonding and accountability. Roommates can wake each other up, go over plays together, and keep each other on track. Sharing also helps rookies learn how veterans prepare. During camp, this can speed up growth for young players and help coaches build a unified team culture.

Finding the balance

Most NFL teams balance the two approaches. They encourage shared rooms during training camp for bonding and structure, then move to single rooms during the regular season for performance and recovery. This balance lets players enjoy the best of both worlds: teamwork early, focus later.

Real-world examples of how a trip can look

Preseason road game with shared rooms

In a preseason week, a team travels with a large roster. The hotel assigns many shared rooms, especially for rookies and bubble players. After meetings, roommates set an agreed lights-out time. They compare notes on the playbook and tape their jerseys and socks for quick dressing the next day. In the morning, they wake each other and head down to breakfast and position meetings. The focus is learning and evaluation.

Regular-season road game with single rooms

In a regular-season week, players receive keys to single rooms. After meetings, a cornerback takes a few minutes to call family, then spends quiet time with the call sheet. He adjusts the thermostat, turns on a white-noise app, and sets two alarms. In the morning, he does a brief stretch, grabs a tailored breakfast in the meal room, and joins a quick walkthrough. The routine is calm and predictable, which is ideal before a big game.

How this affects different positions

Quarterbacks and signal-callers

Quarterbacks usually carry the heaviest mental load. Private rooms help them study protection calls, audibles, and the opening script quietly. If a team still uses shared rooms in certain settings, signal-callers might be among the first to be assigned singles to support their role.

Linemen and heavy recovery needs

Offensive and defensive linemen often have intense recovery routines due to the physical toll of trench play. Single rooms allow for compression boots, stretching, and mobility work without disturbing a roommate. It also gives them more space for gear and personal recovery tools.

Special teamers and unusual schedules

Kickers and punters sometimes keep different warm-up and mental routines. A single room ensures they can follow their specific rhythm, including visualization and quiet time. Even when rooms are shared, teams try not to pair players whose routines are wildly different.

Culture, leadership, and player voice

Leadership councils and feedback

Many NFL teams have a leadership council that meets with coaches to discuss team policies, including travel. If players feel a certain setup hurts sleep or focus, they share that feedback. Over time, this dialogue has pushed many teams toward single rooms during the season while keeping some sharing during camp.

Respecting individual differences

No two players prepare the same way. Some like quiet, some like music, some need cool air, others want warmth. Team policies try to respect those differences, because the end goal is performance on Sunday. If a player performs best with a single room, the team aims to make that happen, especially in the regular season.

What fans should know

It is about performance, not luxury

It might sound fancy to have a private hotel room, but in the NFL it is more about performance than luxury. Players are on a tight schedule, and their bodies are their job. Good sleep, steady routines, and recovery space help them play better. That is why the league has moved toward more single rooms, not because players want special treatment, but because it supports winning.

Policies can change

Teams revisit travel policies all the time. A new head coach might prefer more structure in camp and more freedom in the season. A sports performance director might recommend changes based on sleep data or injury reports. What is true one year could shift the next as teams keep searching for small edges.

Conclusion

Do NFL players share hotel rooms? Sometimes, but not always. The modern NFL leans toward single rooms for regular-season road trips to maximize sleep, recovery, and mental focus. Sharing is still common in training camp and often for rookies or during preseason, when bonding, mentorship, and big rosters shape the housing plan. Policies vary by team and can change as coaches and performance staff fine-tune what helps their players the most.

At its core, the decision comes down to performance. Private rooms reduce sleep disruptions, give players control over their routine, and support recovery. Shared rooms build accountability and team chemistry, which matters during camp when culture is built. Most clubs blend both approaches: share early for bonding and teach rookies the ropes, then go private in the season to protect sleep and focus.

For fans, it is a helpful window into how seriously teams take every detail. From the flight to the pillow, everything is designed to give players the best chance to succeed on game day. Whether they share a room or not, the goal is the same: rest well, prepare well, and be ready to perform when the whistle blows.