If you’ve ever stared at your trading chart and wondered what time futures open on Sunday night, you’re not alone. I remember my first few months trading; I’d stay up refreshing charts, afraid of missing that first candle. The truth is, knowing what time does futures open Sunday can make or break your early-week plan.
In this short guide, H2T Funding breaks down everything you need to know, from official trading hours to how different time zones affect your entry. We’ll also talk about why the futures market opens on Sunday and when it’s actually worth watching. Let’s make sure you never miss that quiet but powerful Sunday session again.
Key takeaways:
- Futures open every Sunday at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (5:00 PM CT, 3:00 PM PST). That’s when the new U.S. trading week begins.
- If you’ve ever wondered what time does futures open Sunday, it’s earlier than most expect; the market opens Sunday night to react to Asia’s session.
- CME Group, NASDAQ, Dow, S&P 500, and even Bitcoin cryptocurrency futures all start trading at the same time under the CME platform.
- Sunday night sessions have lower liquidity and wider spreads, making them ideal for analysis, not aggressive trading.
- Global time zones matter. Always adjust your clock if you trade from PST, CT, or outside the U.S.
- Check daily breaks (5:00–6:00 PM ET) and the official CME holiday schedule to avoid trading during downtime.
- The best hours for liquidity and volatility are when the London and New York sessions overlap (8:00–11:00 AM ET).
- Traders often use Sunday night to prepare strategies, monitor market dynamics, and spot early trading opportunities.
1. What time does futures open Sunday? What are market hours?
Many beginners ask what time does the futures market open on Sunday? To put it simply, futures trading runs almost 24 hours a day to facilitate after-hours trading. The market doesn’t exactly sleep; it just takes a short break.
When considering what time US futures open Sunday, note that standard trading hours for most contracts (like the S&P 500, Dow, or NASDAQ) begin at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (5:00 PM Central).
That might sound odd at first, especially if you are counting how many trading days are in a year based on traditional stocks. Why Sunday, not Monday? Well, think of it as the market’s warm-up before the main race.
Futures open earlier to react to what’s happening in global markets, especially Asia. Japan and Australia start their week before the U.S., so by the time we’re finishing dinner on Sunday, Tokyo is already trading.
Here’s the basic rhythm:
- Opens: Sunday 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT, 3:00 PM PST on the same Sunday)
- Closes: Most popular contracts on the CME Group (e.g., ES, NQ, YM) close on Friday at 5:00 PM ET (4:00 PM CT).
- Daily maintenance break: usually from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM ET (primarily applicable to equity index futures contracts on CME Globex).
If you’ve ever noticed your broker’s chart freeze for an hour, that’s the daily reset. It’s not a glitch; it’s just the system taking a breather before the next trading cycle.
Now, one thing I learned the hard way: Sunday sessions can feel unusually calm. Liquidity is thinner, spreads are wider, and price action can be slow. Still, this quiet window is great for planning trades, spotting gaps, or seeing how the market reacts to weekend news.
In short, Sunday night isn’t about making big profits; it’s about getting a head start while everyone else is still asleep.
2. Major U.S. futures exchanges and their Sunday opening times
When you start trading futures, one of the first things you realize is that not every exchange opens at the same time. That caught me off guard the first week I tried to trade on a Sunday. I was staring at my platform, wondering why prices weren’t moving yet.
To make it simple, here’s how the main U.S. exchanges work on Sunday:
| Exchange | Opening Time (Sunday) | Examples of Contracts |
|---|---|---|
| CME Group (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) | 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT) | Equity futures like S&P 500 (ES), NASDAQ (NQ), Dow (YM), interest rate futures (Treasuries), currency futures, gold, crude oil |
| ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) | 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT) | Most Energy contracts (e.g., Crude Oil, Natural Gas). Note: Some soft commodities (coffee, cocoa) may open later at 8:00 PM ET. |
| CBOE Futures Exchange (CFE) | 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT) | Volatility futures like the VIX |
| EUREX (Europe) | 1:00 AM CET (7:00 PM ET Sunday) | Euro Stoxx, interest rate futures, and global index products |
Traders often search for what time stock futures open on Sunday, specifically for indices. The answer is uniform: what time does Dow futures open on Sunday and what time does Nasdaq futures open on Sunday is the same 6:00 PM ET start time under the CME Group umbrella.
But why the difference? There are trading variations because each exchange has its own risk management schedule. CME runs a one-hour maintenance window, while ICE starts later.
Also, keep in mind that agricultural futures (like Corn or Soybeans) and livestock futures (like Live Cattle) often have different operating hours compared to equity indices. Traders focusing on agricultural futures or livestock futures should always verify specific break times.
If you’re trading from the U.S. West Coast, these times can feel early. 3:00 PM PST may sound like a lazy Sunday afternoon, but for traders, that’s when the global week truly starts. I still remember sitting with a cup of coffee, watching the ES futures tick for the first time that night, wondering can you make money with forex trading or futures during these quiet hours.
I always recommend checking the exchange calendar or your broker’s trading hours page before placing a trade. It only takes a minute, yet it saves you from missing out or worse, entering a position when the market is thin and spreads are wide.
3. Why do futures open on Sunday evening?
The futures market opens on Sunday night at 6:00 PM ET primarily to handle global risk management and ensure price continuity after the weekend. To be honest, it’s a necessity for a 24-hour global product, not a preference.
3.1. Global markets never sleep (The APAC Connection)
The main reason is simple: when the US is having dinner on Sunday, Asia is starting its Monday work week.
- Immediate Reaction is Key: Futures contracts, like the S&P 500 (ES) or Crude Oil (CL), are global benchmarks. If any major political news, surprise central bank announcements, or economic data breaks over the weekend, those markets in Tokyo, Sydney, and Singapore will start reacting immediately.
- Preventing Massive Gaps: If the CME waited until Monday morning ET, the market would absorb all that weekend news at once, leading to uncontrolled price volatility and giant gaps. Because of this, the Sunday open acts as a controlled release valve, allowing prices to smoothly adjust to global sentiment. I think this makes the market much safer for everyone involved.
3.2. Continuous risk management (Hedging)
Futures are, at their core, a hedging tool.
- Need for 24/5 Hedging: Large international corporations, oil producers, and currency traders need the ability to mitigate (hedge) their exposure continuously, regardless of time zones. Frankly speaking, shutting down futures for too long would defeat their purpose as risk protection instruments.
- Clearing House Operations: The CME Group requires continuous trading hours to execute its complex daily clearing and margin calculation processes. Simply put, the Sunday opening jumpstarts the weekly cycle, providing enough time for the exchange to manage risk and settle positions smoothly before the main Monday rush.
So you see, the Sunday session isn’t about making big profits right away; it’s about making sure the global economic machine starts up safely and predictably and reflects true global demand.
4. Sunday night trading explained
If you’re wondering at what time futures open on Sunday, the short answer is 6:00 PM Eastern Time. But the real question isn’t just what time do futures open on Sunday night, but “Should I actually trade then or wait until Monday morning?”
I’ve tried both. And honestly, it depends on what kind of trader you are. When the futures market opens on Sunday night, it’s like a quiet warm-up before the main game begins. The charts move, but not too fast. Liquidity is still thin, and spreads are wider than usual.
During this session, most equity futures, such as the ES (S&P 500), NASDAQ, and Dow contracts, as well as key interest rate futures (like the 10-Year Note), begin trading on the CME platform.
You’ll see activity start to pick up from Asia, especially as markets in Tokyo and Sydney open. That’s why Sunday night trading is closely tied to global markets and depends heavily on what time does the forex market opens in the APAC region.
If you’re a short-term trader who relies on momentum, you might find this session slow. Market liquidity is usually low, and sudden spikes can happen if big news breaks in Asia or Europe. For example, I once saw currency futures jump sharply after a surprise announcement from the Bank of Japan just hours after the Sunday open.
For many, Sunday night is less about opening new positions and more about preparing a trading strategy for the week. It’s a perfect time to mark your key levels, check any pending economic events, review how to use option block trades to spot unusual options, and make sure your platform and charts are running smoothly.
Still, some experienced traders love this session. They watch how prices react during pre-open trading and use that early movement to predict how Monday might start. Just remember: the first hour after the market opens can be volatile and sometimes unpredictable.
So, what’s my advice? If you’re new, simply observe. Take notes. Learn how the market dynamics shift as Asia opens and U.S. futures start moving. Once you understand the rhythm, you’ll know when it’s worth trading and when it’s better to stay patient.
5. U.S. futures opening hours by time zone
When I first started trading, I didn’t realize how much time zones could mess up my schedule. I used to think that knowing what time does futures market opens on Sunday EST was all I needed. But then I missed trades because I forgot to adjust for my local time. It’s a small mistake that can cost you a good entry.
The truth is, the futures market opens at different times depending on where you live. Most traders follow Eastern Time (ET) because it aligns with the New York session. Still, Central Time (CT) and Pacific Time (PST) matter too if you trade outside the East Coast.
Here’s a quick reference you can save:
| Time Zone | Opening Time (Sunday) | Example Exchanges / Products |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 6:00 PM | CME Group, CBOE Futures Exchange |
| Central Time (CT) | 5:00 PM | CME Headquarters, Chicago |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 4:00 PM | Regional traders using Denver-based servers |
| Pacific Time (PST) | 3:00 PM | West Coast traders, Los Angeles, San Francisco |
So, if you’re asking what time does futures market opens on Sunday PST, it’s 3:00 PM on the same Sunday. This feels early, but that’s when global markets start moving.
I remember one Sunday, sitting at a café in California, looking at ES futures as they opened. The market was calm for the first few minutes, then suddenly spiked when Asia opened. That moment taught me how important it is to understand market dynamics across regions.
Each hour matters. A trader in New York might see futures open just after dinner, while someone in Singapore sees it early Monday morning. The difference isn’t just in time, it’s in trading opportunities. For example, currency futures often react strongly to Asian economic headlines before U.S. traders even wake up.
To make life easier, I always use a market clock tool like Market24hClock or Investing.com. It keeps me synced with multiple trading hours worldwide and saves me from mixing up sessions.
6. Breaks and holiday schedule
One thing many traders overlook is that even though futures trading hours seem nonstop, the market actually takes short breaks. These pauses are important. They give exchanges time to reset systems, manage contracts, and clear daily data before the next trading session begins.
Let’s start with the basics. On a normal week, the futures market opens Sunday at 6:00 PM Eastern Time and runs continuously until Friday at 5:00 PM ET. That’s almost 24 hours a day, five days a week.
But there’s a one-hour break every day between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM ET. This break exists so the CME Group can perform maintenance, update margin requirements, and ensure positions are effectively marked to market before the next session.
Here’s how the weekly rhythm usually looks:
| Day | Trading Hours (ET) | Daily Break |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 6:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Friday close) | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM daily |
| Monday–Thursday | 6:00 PM (previous evening) – 5:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM daily |
| Friday | 6:00 PM (Thursday) – 5:00 PM | The market closes for the weekend. |
That one-hour pause might not sound like much, but it matters. I’ve seen traders get confused when their orders suddenly freeze at 5:00 PM ET. They thought something was wrong with their broker when, in reality, the market was simply taking its daily break.
Now, when it comes to U.S. holidays, the CME Group and other major exchanges publish an official holiday schedule each year. During major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day, trading sessions often close early, usually around 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM ET. On those days, liquidity drops fast, and spreads widen significantly.
Here’s a short list of typical early close days for U.S. futures exchanges:
- New Year’s Day – Market closed.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Early close at 1:00 PM ET.
- Good Friday – Market closed.
- Memorial Day – Early close at 1:00 PM ET.
- Independence Day (July 4) – Early close at 1:00 PM ET.
- Labor Day – Early close at 1:00 PM ET.
- Thanksgiving Day – Market closed; limited trading on Friday morning.
- Christmas Day – Market closed or closes early on Christmas Eve.
A small tip from my own experience: always check the CME holiday calendar on Friday if a holiday weekend is coming up. One time, I forgot the market was closing early on Thanksgiving and got stuck in a position with no liquidity. That’s not a mistake I plan to repeat.
So, even though futures give you almost 24-hour access, remember that these breaks and holidays can change everything from market liquidity to volatility. Knowing the schedule keeps you a step ahead and protects your strategy from unnecessary surprises.
7. Best times to trade futures for liquidity and volatility
If you’ve ever asked what time Dow futures open on Sunday or what time stock futures open on Sunday, you know not every hour feels the same. Some sessions are quiet, while others move like lightning. Knowing when the market is most active can make a real difference in your profit and loss.
From my experience, the best time to trade futures is when market liquidity is high and volatility is steady, not chaotic. That usually happens when two major trading sessions overlap, like when London and New York are both open.
Here’s how the rhythm typically works:
| Session | Time (ET) | Liquidity Level | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Night (Asia Open) | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Low | Futures open Sunday evening, but spreads are wide. Best for analysis, not trading. |
| European Session | 3:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Medium–High | Moves slow as traders wind down. Often used for swing setups or evaluating, you can hold futures overnight. |
| New York Session | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Highest | Overlap with London brings tight spreads, strong volume. Ideal for ES, NASDAQ, and Dow futures. |
| Afternoon (U.S.) | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Moderate | Moves slow as traders wind down. Often used for swing setups or evaluating, you can hold futures overnight. |
Personally, I love the 8:00–11:00 AM ET window. That’s when equity futures like ES, NASDAQ, and Dow are most liquid. Orders fill quickly, and price action feels smoother. Compare that to Sunday night, where one small order can push the price several ticks because of thin volume.
It’s tempting to trade as soon as futures open on Sunday night, especially when you see small moves after global news breaks. But unless there’s a big economic event, it’s often wiser to wait for liquidity to return. One Sunday, I jumped into currency futures right at the open. The spread was huge, and the position slipped badly before stabilizing. That taught me to respect those quiet hours.
Think of Sunday night as a time to plan, not to trade aggressively. Mark key support and resistance levels, review your setups, and prepare for Monday’s open. Then, when volatility picks up during the New York–London overlap, you’ll already know what to do.
8. Time zone conversion: EST vs PST vs CT
If you’ve ever tried to figure out what time the futures market opens on Sunday PST or what time does futures market opens on Sunday EST, you’re not alone. Time zones confuse more traders than price action ever will. I’ve missed early setups simply because I forgot to adjust my clock when traveling.
To put it simply, the futures market follows Eastern Time (ET) by default because most U.S. exchanges, like the CME Group and CBOE, operate on that schedule. Depending on where you live, though, the opening time can shift by several hours.
Here’s a quick table to help you convert easily:
| Region / Time Zone | Abbreviation | Sunday Open Time | Equivalent Local Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (Eastern Time) | ET | 6:00 PM | Main CME and CBOE schedule |
| Chicago (Central Time) | CT | 5:00 PM | CME headquarters zone |
| Denver (Mountain Time) | MT | 4:00 PM | Often used by prop traders in the Midwest |
| Los Angeles (Pacific Time) | PST | 3:00 PM | West Coast traders, an early Sunday start |
| London | GMT | 11:00 PM | Futures overlap with the early Asian session |
| Singapore | SGT | 6:00 AM (Monday) | First to react to the global markets opening |
When I first started trading from California, I remember reading posts saying futures open at 6:00 PM Sunday. I waited until 6:00 PM my time, wondering why nothing moved. It took me a week to realize that 6:00 PM Eastern actually means 3:00 PM PST. That small mistake cost me a good early read on market dynamics.
If you travel or switch time zones often, using a market clock app can save you a lot of stress. I like Market24hClock and Investing.com because they sync automatically and show global market sessions side by side.
Another important detail: check whether your region observes Daylight Saving Time (DST). Futures trading hours (6:00 PM ET) do not change. However, your local clock might shift, which is why, every March and November, traders sometimes log in an hour late without realizing it.
Always remember to adjust your local time to match ET/EST/EDT, ensuring you don’t trade during prohibited maintenance windows and end up wondering can I reset day trade violations.
Understanding time zones isn’t just about knowing when futures open. It helps you spot better trading opportunities by seeing when global sessions overlap, like when Asia winds down, and Europe starts, or when London meets New York.
That’s when liquidity rises and volatility increases, helping you avoid the choppy, low-volume traps that often lead to significant what is drawdowns in trading.
9. Trading hours for major futures markets
Knowing the exact open and close times for your specific contract is essential; it’s where the money is, honestly. While 6:00 PM ET on Sunday is the general rule, the daily rhythm is what matters most for day traders.
Here is a quick reference table showing the core trading hours for the most popular contracts on the CME Group (which includes COMEX and NYMEX):
| Futures Type | Exchange | Opens (ET) Sunday | Closes (ET) Friday | Daily Break (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Index (ES, NQ, YM) | CME | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Metals (Gold – GC, Silver – SI) | COMEX (CME) | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Energy (Crude Oil – CL, Nat Gas – NG) | NYMEX (CME) | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Currencies (Euro FX – 6E) | CME | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
A quick reality check on the 24/5 schedule
As you can see, almost all major US futures (equity, metal, and energy) run on the same schedule, opening at 6:00 PM ET Sunday and closing at 5:00 PM ET Friday.
- The Daily Pause: What really catches new traders off guard is the daily one-hour break from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM ET. Speaking from my own experience, I once missed an important order setup because I forgot that one single hour when everything freezes. Therefore, never try to trade around that window; it’s reserved for system maintenance.
- The ICE Exception: I think it’s important to note that not all exchanges follow the CME rule. Some agricultural or soft commodity contracts traded on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), like cocoa or coffee, may open later, sometimes around 8:00 PM ET on Sunday. If you trade these products, always double-check the ICE schedule!
So, what’s the takeaway? If you are trading the Dow or Nasdaq futures, your schedule is consistent 24/5. You just need to respect that mandatory 5:00 PM ET daily timeout.
10. Community insight: Is it worth trading futures on Sunday?
I’ll be honest, the first time I joined a Reddit thread about Sunday night trading, I didn’t expect such strong opinions. Some traders love it. Others won’t touch it. The discussion on r/Daytrading perfectly sums up that divide.
Many traders pointed out that even though futures open on Sunday night around 6:00 PM Eastern Time, the market feels slow and illiquid. One user wrote that spreads are ridiculous during the first hour, especially on NASDAQ futures, while another added that slippage can be brutal if you’re not careful.
A few experienced traders, though, see that quiet session as a chance to prepare. They use Sunday night to test setups, adjust trading strategies, and mark support and resistance levels for Monday.
One even mentioned he watches how ES futures behave right after the open to predict how the S&P 500 might move once the full U.S. session begins. If you’re wondering what time ES futures open on Sunday, it’s 6:00 PM Eastern, the same time most equity futures start trading on the CME.
I found it fascinating how many traders agreed on one thing: volatility on Sunday night is deceptive. Prices move, but volume stays low. That means any sudden spike can exaggerate your profit and loss, which can be risky if you’re trading large contracts.
A trader from New York shared his Sunday routine: log in right when NASDAQ futures open at 6:00 PM ET, watch the charts for an hour, then step away. It’s not about trading, he said, it’s about watching how global markets react. His advice matches; it’s a time to observe market dynamics and get a feel for how the week might unfold.
The community’s consensus was clear: if you’re new, stay out during those first few hours. Use that time to analyze, not to execute. Once volume builds when London or New York opens, you’ll find better trading opportunities with stronger market liquidity.
So, is it worth trading on Sunday? Maybe. But only if you know what you’re doing and understand that thin markets can turn small mistakes into big ones.
As one Redditor put it best: If you can’t handle watching your position swing wildly on Sunday night, don’t trade it. And honestly, I couldn’t agree more.
11. What to watch when futures open Sunday
The Sunday evening session isn’t primarily for placing trades; it’s your first chance to read the global mood. Frankly, if you ignore the Sunday open, you’re trading blind on Monday morning.
Here are the critical elements I watch personally right when futures open at 6:00 PM ET:
11.1. Price Gaps from the Weekend
This is the single most important thing to monitor.
- Is there a gap? A gap is the difference between Friday’s closing price and Sunday’s opening price. If you ask me, a large gap indicates that major fundamental news broke over the weekend, and the market is already reacting fiercely.
- Gap fill test: The first hour often shows whether the gap will be filled (price moves back toward Friday’s close) or maintained. If a gap stays open through the night, it suggests strong conviction and might indicate the direction for the rest of the week.
11.2. The Asian Market Reaction
Remember, Tokyo and Sydney are already working on their Monday.
- Where are the Nikkei and ASX going? Watch how the major Asian indices (like Japan’s Nikkei 225) perform in their opening hours. Therefore, if they’re selling off aggressively, we should expect US index futures (ES, NQ) to feel pressure shortly after.
- Early volume spikes: Thin liquidity on Sunday means any volume spike is magnified. If you see a sudden burst of trading activity around 7:30 PM ET, it often correlates with a major Asian market beginning trading or a data release.
11.3. Liquidity and Spread Check (Your Risk Meter)
This is all about managing your risk profile.
- The spreads are wider: Simply put, the bid-ask spread is wider on Sunday night because fewer participants are active. This increases your transaction costs and risk of slippage.
- My advice? Use the Sunday open to mark your key support and resistance levels. Don’t try aggressive scalping when spreads are “ridiculous,” as one trader I know once put it. I believe it’s far better to use this quiet time for analysis than for high-risk execution.
So you can see, Sunday night is your homework time. Get your plan ready, but save the heavy trading for when London and New York wake up.
12. FAQs: Frequently asked questions
Futures start trading at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (5:00 PM Central Time) every Sunday. That’s when the new trading week officially begins on the CME Group exchange. It’s the same for Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 contracts.
If you mean U.S. stock futures, they open at 6:00 PM ET. However, traders should note that agricultural futures and livestock futures often have different opening hours than standard equities.
That’s a common mix-up. The stock market opens at 9:30 AM ET, but futures begin much earlier, on Sunday evening. Futures markets stay open almost 24 hours, only pausing briefly for maintenance breaks.
It depends on the day. For example, if you need to know what time on Sunday futures open, they start exactly at 6:00 PM ET. Monday through Thursday, trading resumes each evening after the daily one-hour break.
The futures market opens at 6:00 PM Eastern Time sharp. That’s the official start of the new trading week for U.S. exchanges like the CME, ICE, and CBOE.
Gold futures also start at 6:00 PM ET, following the same schedule as other CME contracts. Liquidity may be thin during the first hour, so watch out for wide spreads before major economic events.
Technically, they never close between Sunday and Friday, except during the daily maintenance break. After Sunday’s open, the market runs continuously through the week, closing only on Friday at 5:00 PM ET.
In New York, futures open at 6:00 PM local time on Sunday. If you’re based there, you’ll notice light volume until the London session begins early Monday morning.
No, futures markets are closed on Saturday. Trading ends Friday evening and resumes Sunday at 6:00 PM ET. That short weekend break allows exchanges to reset systems and clear positions.
None of the major U.S. exchanges operates on Saturdays. However, some cryptocurrency futures on global platforms run 24/7. It is important to distinguish between unregulated crypto markets and regulated cryptocurrency futures (like Bitcoin futures on CME), which stick to the standard Sunday-to-Friday schedule.
The futures market closes every Friday at 5:00 PM ET (4:00 PM CT). After that, all trading stops until Sunday’s reopening.
The 80% rule is a concept from market profile theory. It applies when the price opens outside the previous day’s Value Area but re-enters and holds for two consecutive 30-minute periods. In this scenario, there is an 80% probability that the price will travel to the opposite side of the value area. Many traders use it to plan short-term trading strategies and identify market dynamics shifts.
FTSE 100 futures (UKX) typically open on Sunday evening at 1:00 AM CET (Central European Time), which is 7:00 PM ET (Eastern Time) on Sunday. These are traded on the ICE Futures Europe exchange (formerly LIFFE), and their schedule aligns more closely with the European session start.
Neither. This is a common confusion between stock market hours and futures market hours: Stock Market (e.g., NYSE, NASDAQ): Opens at 9:30 AM ET. Futures Market (e.g., ES, NQ, YM): Opens much earlier, every Sunday at 6:00 PM ET, and runs almost 24 hours a day, five days a week.
13. Conclusion
If you’ve ever asked what time does futures open Sunday, the answer is simple: 6:00 PM Eastern Time. That’s when the new trading week begins, and global markets start to move.
The key isn’t just knowing the time; it’s knowing how to use it. Sunday night is quiet but strategic. It’s when smart traders prepare for volatility, check liquidity, and plan their week ahead.
At H2T Funding, under our Prop Firm & Trading Strategies category, we always remind traders that timing builds discipline. Take Sunday as your setup day, and let every move this week start with purpose, not luck.
