Futures rollover dates, without the guesswork

Check the next ES, NQ, MES or MNQ contract, compare rollover and expiration dates, and add the schedule to your calendar.

Verified September 9, 2026 against CME Group’s equity index roll schedule. These are CME customary roll dates, not guaranteed volume crossover dates or broker deadlines.

2026 and 2027 ES, NQ, MES and MNQ rollover schedule

All four contracts use this quarterly schedule. Add your instrument prefix to the month code: for example, NQU26 rolls to NQZ26 in September 2026. H = March, M = June, U = September and Z = December.

June 2026 expiration is June 18, adjusted for the holiday. Do not assume every quarterly expiration is a Friday.

Rollover versus expiration: which date matters?

Rollover means switching trading activity to a later contract. Expiration is when the old contract ends. CME lists a customary equity index roll date, but you can switch at another time. Check volume on both contracts, your broker’s closeout deadline and your platform’s symbol settings.

TradingView and Pine Script rollover checklist

1. Check the actual dated contract behind your chart. A continuous symbol such as ES1! is a chart series, not proof that every connected service has switched.
2. Compare the old and new contracts’ volume and spreads before choosing where to trade.
3. Check alerts, webhook payloads and your automation service’s broker symbol mapping. Update any hard-coded dated symbol.
4. Confirm existing positions and working orders in the broker. A chart change does not transfer a position or order to another contract.
5. Verify your workflow in simulation before relying on live alerts.

What about CL, MCL, GC and MGC?

Crude oil and gold follow different delivery and expiration schedules. They are not covered by this equity index calendar. Check the CME crude oil calendar, gold calendar and your exact contract’s broker deadlines. Brokers may require action before exchange expiration or delivery dates.