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Futures Rollover Calendar: Month Codes & Expiration Dates

The contract to trade today for 16 CME Group futures, when to roll to the next one, and when each contract stops trading. Last trading days follow each contract's CME rule, with CME holidays skipped. Roll dates are conventions, not exchange rules. Dates as of Sat, Oct 24, 2026 (Chicago). The month codes (F to Z) are below the table.

Front month and next roll

Front month, last trading day and suggested roll date of each futures contract
ContractSuggested rollLast trading day
Equity index
ES ESZ6Mon, Dec 14, 2026in 51 daysFri, Dec 18, 2026
MES MESZ6Mon, Dec 14, 2026in 51 daysFri, Dec 18, 2026
NQ NQZ6Mon, Dec 14, 2026in 51 daysFri, Dec 18, 2026
MNQ MNQZ6Mon, Dec 14, 2026in 51 daysFri, Dec 18, 2026
YM YMZ6Mon, Dec 14, 2026in 51 daysFri, Dec 18, 2026
MYM MYMZ6Mon, Dec 14, 2026in 51 daysFri, Dec 18, 2026
RTY RTYZ6Mon, Dec 14, 2026in 51 daysFri, Dec 18, 2026
M2K M2KZ6Mon, Dec 14, 2026in 51 daysFri, Dec 18, 2026
Metals
GC GCZ6Wed, Nov 25, 2026in 32 daysTue, Dec 29, 2026
GCV6 still trades until Wed, Oct 28, 2026
MGC MGCZ6Wed, Nov 25, 2026in 32 daysTue, Dec 29, 2026
MGCV6 still trades until Wed, Oct 28, 2026
SI SIZ6Wed, Nov 25, 2026in 32 daysTue, Dec 29, 2026
SIL SILZ6Wed, Nov 25, 2026in 32 daysTue, Dec 29, 2026
Energy
CL CLZ6Wed, Nov 18, 2026in 25 daysFri, Nov 20, 2026
MCL MCLZ6Wed, Nov 18, 2026in 25 daysThu, Nov 19, 2026
Currency
6E 6EZ6Wed, Dec 9, 2026in 46 daysMon, Dec 14, 2026
M6E M6EZ6Wed, Dec 9, 2026in 46 daysMon, Dec 14, 2026

Front month: the contract whose suggested roll date has not come yet. On the roll date the next contract becomes the front month; the old one still trades until its last trading day.

Futures month codes

A futures symbol is the product, a month code and the year: NQZ6 is the E-mini Nasdaq-100 for December 2026. CME Globex writes the year with one digit (NQZ6), CME's calendars with two (NQZ26) and TradingView with four (NQZ2026).

  1. FJanuary
  2. GFebruary
  3. HMarch
  4. JApril
  5. KMay
  6. MJune
  7. NJuly
  8. QAugust
  9. USeptember
  10. VOctober
  11. XNovember
  12. ZDecember

Contract months of each future

● the months traders hold and roll through, ○ listed by CME but usually skipped. Gold, silver and the euro list more months than traders use.

Listed contract months and the months traders roll through, per contract
ContractFGHJKMNQUVXZ
ESES January: not listedES February: not listedES March: listed, traders roll through itES April: not listedES May: not listedES June: listed, traders roll through itES July: not listedES August: not listedES September: listed, traders roll through itES October: not listedES November: not listedES December: listed, traders roll through it
MESMES January: not listedMES February: not listedMES March: listed, traders roll through itMES April: not listedMES May: not listedMES June: listed, traders roll through itMES July: not listedMES August: not listedMES September: listed, traders roll through itMES October: not listedMES November: not listedMES December: listed, traders roll through it
NQNQ January: not listedNQ February: not listedNQ March: listed, traders roll through itNQ April: not listedNQ May: not listedNQ June: listed, traders roll through itNQ July: not listedNQ August: not listedNQ September: listed, traders roll through itNQ October: not listedNQ November: not listedNQ December: listed, traders roll through it
MNQMNQ January: not listedMNQ February: not listedMNQ March: listed, traders roll through itMNQ April: not listedMNQ May: not listedMNQ June: listed, traders roll through itMNQ July: not listedMNQ August: not listedMNQ September: listed, traders roll through itMNQ October: not listedMNQ November: not listedMNQ December: listed, traders roll through it
YMYM January: not listedYM February: not listedYM March: listed, traders roll through itYM April: not listedYM May: not listedYM June: listed, traders roll through itYM July: not listedYM August: not listedYM September: listed, traders roll through itYM October: not listedYM November: not listedYM December: listed, traders roll through it
MYMMYM January: not listedMYM February: not listedMYM March: listed, traders roll through itMYM April: not listedMYM May: not listedMYM June: listed, traders roll through itMYM July: not listedMYM August: not listedMYM September: listed, traders roll through itMYM October: not listedMYM November: not listedMYM December: listed, traders roll through it
RTYRTY January: not listedRTY February: not listedRTY March: listed, traders roll through itRTY April: not listedRTY May: not listedRTY June: listed, traders roll through itRTY July: not listedRTY August: not listedRTY September: listed, traders roll through itRTY October: not listedRTY November: not listedRTY December: listed, traders roll through it
M2KM2K January: not listedM2K February: not listedM2K March: listed, traders roll through itM2K April: not listedM2K May: not listedM2K June: listed, traders roll through itM2K July: not listedM2K August: not listedM2K September: listed, traders roll through itM2K October: not listedM2K November: not listedM2K December: listed, traders roll through it
GCGC January: listed, usually skippedGC February: listed, traders roll through itGC March: listed, usually skippedGC April: listed, traders roll through itGC May: listed, usually skippedGC June: listed, traders roll through itGC July: listed, usually skippedGC August: listed, traders roll through itGC September: listed, usually skippedGC October: listed, traders roll through itGC November: listed, usually skippedGC December: listed, traders roll through it
MGCMGC January: not listedMGC February: listed, traders roll through itMGC March: not listedMGC April: listed, traders roll through itMGC May: not listedMGC June: listed, traders roll through itMGC July: not listedMGC August: listed, traders roll through itMGC September: not listedMGC October: listed, traders roll through itMGC November: not listedMGC December: listed, traders roll through it
CLCL January: listed, traders roll through itCL February: listed, traders roll through itCL March: listed, traders roll through itCL April: listed, traders roll through itCL May: listed, traders roll through itCL June: listed, traders roll through itCL July: listed, traders roll through itCL August: listed, traders roll through itCL September: listed, traders roll through itCL October: listed, traders roll through itCL November: listed, traders roll through itCL December: listed, traders roll through it
MCLMCL January: listed, traders roll through itMCL February: listed, traders roll through itMCL March: listed, traders roll through itMCL April: listed, traders roll through itMCL May: listed, traders roll through itMCL June: listed, traders roll through itMCL July: listed, traders roll through itMCL August: listed, traders roll through itMCL September: listed, traders roll through itMCL October: listed, traders roll through itMCL November: listed, traders roll through itMCL December: listed, traders roll through it
SISI January: listed, usually skippedSI February: listed, usually skippedSI March: listed, traders roll through itSI April: listed, usually skippedSI May: listed, traders roll through itSI June: listed, usually skippedSI July: listed, traders roll through itSI August: listed, usually skippedSI September: listed, traders roll through itSI October: listed, usually skippedSI November: listed, usually skippedSI December: listed, traders roll through it
SILSIL January: listed, usually skippedSIL February: listed, usually skippedSIL March: listed, traders roll through itSIL April: listed, usually skippedSIL May: listed, traders roll through itSIL June: listed, usually skippedSIL July: listed, traders roll through itSIL August: listed, usually skippedSIL September: listed, traders roll through itSIL October: listed, usually skippedSIL November: listed, usually skippedSIL December: listed, traders roll through it
6E6E January: listed, usually skipped6E February: listed, usually skipped6E March: listed, traders roll through it6E April: listed, usually skipped6E May: listed, usually skipped6E June: listed, traders roll through it6E July: listed, usually skipped6E August: listed, usually skipped6E September: listed, traders roll through it6E October: listed, usually skipped6E November: listed, usually skipped6E December: listed, traders roll through it
M6EM6E January: not listedM6E February: not listedM6E March: listed, traders roll through itM6E April: not listedM6E May: not listedM6E June: listed, traders roll through itM6E July: not listedM6E August: not listedM6E September: listed, traders roll through itM6E October: not listedM6E November: not listedM6E December: listed, traders roll through it

Upcoming expirations: the next 4 contracts

ES E-mini S&P 500

ContractRollLast trade
ESZ6Dec 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026
ESH7Mar 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027Fri, Mar 19, 2027
ESM7Jun 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027Thu, Jun 17, 2027
ESU7Sep 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027Fri, Sep 17, 2027

MES Micro E-mini S&P 500

ContractRollLast trade
MESZ6Dec 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026
MESH7Mar 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027Fri, Mar 19, 2027
MESM7Jun 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027Thu, Jun 17, 2027
MESU7Sep 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027Fri, Sep 17, 2027

NQ E-mini Nasdaq-100

ContractRollLast trade
NQZ6Dec 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026
NQH7Mar 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027Fri, Mar 19, 2027
NQM7Jun 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027Thu, Jun 17, 2027
NQU7Sep 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027Fri, Sep 17, 2027

MNQ Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100

ContractRollLast trade
MNQZ6Dec 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026
MNQH7Mar 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027Fri, Mar 19, 2027
MNQM7Jun 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027Thu, Jun 17, 2027
MNQU7Sep 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027Fri, Sep 17, 2027

YM E-mini Dow

ContractRollLast trade
YMZ6Dec 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026
YMH7Mar 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027Fri, Mar 19, 2027
YMM7Jun 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027Thu, Jun 17, 2027
YMU7Sep 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027Fri, Sep 17, 2027

MYM Micro E-mini Dow

ContractRollLast trade
MYMZ6Dec 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026
MYMH7Mar 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027Fri, Mar 19, 2027
MYMM7Jun 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027Thu, Jun 17, 2027
MYMU7Sep 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027Fri, Sep 17, 2027

RTY E-mini Russell 2000

ContractRollLast trade
RTYZ6Dec 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026
RTYH7Mar 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027Fri, Mar 19, 2027
RTYM7Jun 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027Thu, Jun 17, 2027
RTYU7Sep 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027Fri, Sep 17, 2027

M2K Micro E-mini Russell 2000

ContractRollLast trade
M2KZ6Dec 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026
M2KH7Mar 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027Fri, Mar 19, 2027
M2KM7Jun 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027Thu, Jun 17, 2027
M2KU7Sep 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027Fri, Sep 17, 2027

GC Gold

ContractRollLast tradeFirst notice
GCZ6Dec 2026Wed, Nov 25, 2026Tue, Dec 29, 2026Mon, Nov 30, 2026
GCG7Feb 2027Wed, Jan 27, 2027Wed, Feb 24, 2027Fri, Jan 29, 2027
GCJ7Apr 2027Mon, Mar 29, 2027Wed, Apr 28, 2027Wed, Mar 31, 2027
GCM7Jun 2027Wed, May 26, 2027Mon, Jun 28, 2027Fri, May 28, 2027

MGC Micro Gold

ContractRollLast tradeFirst notice
MGCZ6Dec 2026Wed, Nov 25, 2026Tue, Dec 29, 2026Mon, Nov 30, 2026
MGCG7Feb 2027Wed, Jan 27, 2027Wed, Feb 24, 2027Fri, Jan 29, 2027
MGCJ7Apr 2027Mon, Mar 29, 2027Wed, Apr 28, 2027Wed, Mar 31, 2027
MGCM7Jun 2027Wed, May 26, 2027Mon, Jun 28, 2027Fri, May 28, 2027

CL WTI Crude Oil

ContractRollLast trade
CLZ6Dec 2026Wed, Nov 18, 2026Fri, Nov 20, 2026
CLF7Jan 2027Thu, Dec 17, 2026Mon, Dec 21, 2026
CLG7Feb 2027Fri, Jan 15, 2027Wed, Jan 20, 2027
CLH7Mar 2027Thu, Feb 18, 2027Mon, Feb 22, 2027

MCL Micro WTI Crude Oil

ContractRollLast trade
MCLZ6Dec 2026Wed, Nov 18, 2026Thu, Nov 19, 2026
MCLF7Jan 2027Thu, Dec 17, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026
MCLG7Feb 2027Fri, Jan 15, 2027Tue, Jan 19, 2027
MCLH7Mar 2027Thu, Feb 18, 2027Fri, Feb 19, 2027

SI Silver

ContractRollLast tradeFirst notice
SIZ6Dec 2026Wed, Nov 25, 2026Tue, Dec 29, 2026Mon, Nov 30, 2026
SIH7Mar 2027Wed, Feb 24, 2027Mon, Mar 29, 2027Fri, Feb 26, 2027
SIK7May 2027Wed, Apr 28, 2027Wed, May 26, 2027Fri, Apr 30, 2027
SIN7Jul 2027Mon, Jun 28, 2027Wed, Jul 28, 2027Wed, Jun 30, 2027

SIL Micro Silver

ContractRollLast tradeFirst notice
SILZ6Dec 2026Wed, Nov 25, 2026Tue, Dec 29, 2026Mon, Nov 30, 2026
SILH7Mar 2027Wed, Feb 24, 2027Mon, Mar 29, 2027Fri, Feb 26, 2027
SILK7May 2027Wed, Apr 28, 2027Wed, May 26, 2027Fri, Apr 30, 2027
SILN7Jul 2027Mon, Jun 28, 2027Wed, Jul 28, 2027Wed, Jun 30, 2027

6E Euro FX

ContractRollLast trade
6EZ6Dec 2026Wed, Dec 9, 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026
6EH7Mar 2027Wed, Mar 10, 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027
6EM7Jun 2027Wed, Jun 9, 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027
6EU7Sep 2027Wed, Sep 8, 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027

M6E Micro EUR/USD

ContractRollLast trade
M6EZ6Dec 2026Wed, Dec 9, 2026Mon, Dec 14, 2026
M6EH7Mar 2027Wed, Mar 10, 2027Mon, Mar 15, 2027
M6EM7Jun 2027Wed, Jun 9, 2027Mon, Jun 14, 2027
M6EU7Sep 2027Wed, Sep 8, 2027Mon, Sep 13, 2027

Roll: suggested roll date. First notice (gold and silver): from that day a long position can be assigned delivery. Last trade: the contract's last trading day.

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Expiration rules and roll conventions

CME termination of trading rule and roll convention per contract
ContractLast trading day (CME spec page)Suggested roll (convention)Settlement
ES“Trading terminates at 9:30 a.m. ET on the 3rd Friday of the contract month.” spec · calendarCME roll date: the Monday before the 3rd FridayCash-settled
MES“Trading terminates at 9:30 a.m. ET on the 3rd Friday of the contract month.” spec · calendarCME roll date: the Monday before the 3rd FridayCash-settled
NQ“Trading terminates at 9:30 a.m. ET on the 3rd Friday of the contract month.” spec · calendarCME roll date: the Monday before the 3rd FridayCash-settled
MNQ“Trading terminates at 9:30 a.m. ET on the 3rd Friday of the contract month.” spec · calendarCME roll date: the Monday before the 3rd FridayCash-settled
YM“Trading terminates at 9:30 a.m. ET on the 3rd Friday of the contract month” spec · calendarCME roll date: the Monday before the 3rd FridayCash-settled
MYM“Trading terminates at 9:30 a.m. ET on the 3rd Friday of the contract month.” spec · calendarCME roll date: the Monday before the 3rd FridayCash-settled
RTY“Trading terminates at 9:30 a.m. ET on the 3rd Friday of the contract month.” spec · calendarCME roll date: the Monday before the 3rd FridayCash-settled
M2K“Trading terminates at 9:30 a.m. ET on the 3rd Friday of the contract month.” spec · calendarCME roll date: the Monday before the 3rd FridayCash-settled
GC“Trading terminates at 12:30 p.m. CT on the third last business day of the contract month.” spec · calendarThe business day before the month turns spot (2 business days before first notice day)Physical delivery
MGC“Trading terminates on the third last business day of the contract month.” spec · calendarThe business day before the month turns spot (2 business days before first notice day)Physical delivery
CL“Trading terminates 3 business day before the 25th calendar day of the month prior to the contract month. If the 25th calendar day is not a business day, trading terminates 4 business days before the 25th calendar day of the month prior to the contract month.” spec · calendar2 business days before CL's last trading dayPhysical delivery
MCL“Trading terminates 1 business day before the corresponding CL contract month or 4 business days before the 25th calendar of the month prior to the contract month. If the 25th calendar day is not a business day, trading terminates 5 business days before the 25th calendar day of the month prior to the contract month.” spec · calendar2 business days before CL's last trading dayCash-settled
SI“Trading terminates at 12:25 p.m. CT on the third last business day of the contract month.” spec · calendarThe business day before the month turns spot (2 business days before first notice day)Physical delivery
SIL“Trading terminates on the third last business day of the contract month.” spec · calendarThe business day before the month turns spot (2 business days before first notice day)Physical delivery
6E“Trading terminates at 9:16 a.m. CT, 2 business day prior to the third Wednesday of the contract month.” spec · calendarThe Wednesday a week before the 3rd WednesdayPhysical delivery
M6E“Trading terminates at 9:16 a.m. CT 2 business day prior to the 3rd Wednesday of the contract quarter.” spec · calendarThe Wednesday a week before the 3rd WednesdayPhysical delivery

Business days are CME settlement days: the holidays below are skipped when counting. When the third Friday is an exchange holiday, the equity index contracts end on the business day before (CME Rule 35803.A): the June 2026 and June 2027 contracts end on Thursday, before Juneteenth, as CME's roll date table and calendars show.

How the roll dates are set

No exchange rule makes you roll on a given day. These are the conventions this page uses, with their source:

  • ES, MES, NQ, MNQ, YM, MYM, RTY, M2K: CME roll date: the Monday before the 3rd Friday. CME's customary roll date is the Monday before the third Friday of the expiration month. From that day CME treats the next quarter as the lead month. The expiring contract still trades until its last trading day, with less and less volume. CME Group Equity Index Roll Dates
  • GC, MGC: The business day before the month turns spot (2 business days before first notice day). Roll before delivery starts. A month becomes the spot (delivery) month on the second-last business day of the month before it, and first notice day is the last business day of that month: from then a long position can be assigned delivery. Suggested date: the business day before the month turns spot. CME names February, April, June, August, October and December as the active months, so the other listed months are skipped. CME Group, Trading at Settlement for Metals Futures (active months, spot month) · CME Group gold calendar (first position and first notice dates)
  • CL, MCL: 2 business days before CL's last trading day. Roll before CL's last trading day: CL positions still open after it go to physical delivery. CME's own Petroleum Index starts moving from the front month to the next one 6 trading days before expiry and holds only the next month from 2 days before. Suggested date: 2 business days before CL's last trading day. MCL is cash settled and ends one business day before CL; the same date works for it. CME Group Petroleum Intraday Index Calculation Guide v1.1, Roll Period
  • SI, SIL: The business day before the month turns spot (2 business days before first notice day). Roll before delivery starts. A month becomes the spot (delivery) month on the second-last business day of the month before it, and first notice day is the last business day of that month: from then a long position can be assigned delivery. Suggested date: the business day before the month turns spot. CME names March, May, July, September and December as the active months, so the other listed months are skipped. CME Group, Trading at Settlement for Metals Futures (active months, spot month) · CME Group gold calendar (first position and first notice dates)
  • 6E, M6E: The Wednesday a week before the 3rd Wednesday. CME: the FX quarterly roll happens in the two weeks before the last trading day, from one quarterly contract (Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec) to the next. In CME's study of the September 2022 roll, the busiest roll day was the Wednesday of the last full week before expiry. Suggested date: that Wednesday, one week before the third Wednesday. CME Group, FAQ: CME FX Futures Calendar Spreads (What is the quarterly roll?) · CME Group, Roll(ing) with it (September 2022 FX roll study)

How futures expiration works

Every futures contract has a last trading day. After it, open positions are settled. Cash-settled contracts (the equity index futures and MCL) pay or charge the difference to the final settlement price. Physically delivered contracts (CL, gold, silver, the euro) go to delivery: barrels, ounces or euros change hands for the full contract value.

Most traders never get there. Before expiry, volume moves to the next contract and they roll: close the expiring contract and open the same position in the next one, often in one order as a calendar spread. The two contracts trade at different prices, so a chart that joins them shows a jump on the roll day that is not a real move.

For gold and silver, delivery can start before the last trading day: from first notice day, the last business day of the month before the contract month, a long position can be assigned delivery. Crude oil delivery notices come only after the last trading day, so for CL the last trading day is the deadline.

Prop firm and most retail accounts cannot make or take delivery. Expect your firm or broker to close an expiring position for you, sometimes days before the dates above. Check its own cutoff, and see the contract specs for what one contract is worth.

CME holidays that move these dates

A day without settlement is not a business day, so it is skipped when CME counts business days to an expiry. Halts: Globex opens as usual the evening before, stops at that time and does not settle; the trades count for the next business day. Open, no settlement: trading runs as usual, but the day does not settle. Closes: an early close; still a business day. Times are US Central (Chicago).

CME Globex holidays and early closes per product group (US Central time)
DateHolidayEquity indexMetals & EnergyCurrency
Thu, Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving DayHalts 12:00 p.m.Halts 1:30 p.m.Open, no settlement
Fri, Nov 27, 2026Day after ThanksgivingCloses 12:15 p.m.Closes 1:45 p.m.Closes 1:45 p.m.
Thu, Dec 24, 2026Christmas EveCloses 12:15 p.m.Closes 12:45 p.m.Closes 12:45 p.m.
Fri, Dec 25, 2026Christmas DayClosedClosedClosed
Fri, Jan 1, 2027New Year's DayClosedClosedClosed
Mon, Jan 18, 2027Martin Luther King Jr. DayHalts 12:00 p.m.Halts 1:30 p.m.Open, no settlement
Mon, Feb 15, 2027Presidents' DayHalts 12:00 p.m.Halts 1:30 p.m.Open, no settlement
Fri, Mar 26, 2027Good FridayClosedClosedClosed
Mon, May 31, 2027Memorial DayHalts 12:00 p.m.Halts 1:30 p.m.Open, no settlement
Fri, Jun 18, 2027Juneteenth (observed)Halts 12:00 p.m.Halts 12:00 p.m.Halts 12:00 p.m.
Mon, Jul 5, 2027Independence Day (observed)Halts 12:00 p.m.Halts 1:30 p.m.Open, no settlement
Mon, Sep 6, 2027Labor DayHalts 12:00 p.m.Halts 1:30 p.m.Open, no settlement
Thu, Nov 25, 2027Thanksgiving DayHalts 12:00 p.m.Halts 1:30 p.m.Open, no settlement
Fri, Nov 26, 2027Day after ThanksgivingCloses 12:15 p.m.Closes 1:45 p.m.Closes 1:45 p.m.
Fri, Dec 24, 2027Christmas Day (observed)ClosedClosedClosed

Source: CME Group Holiday and Trading Hours (Globex holiday schedules) (read October 23, 2026), published for 2026–2027. CME has not published later years yet: dates in them assume no holiday and carry a †. CME can change a schedule up to about two weeks before the holiday. Cross-checked with TradingView's holiday list for CME futures (captured 2026-10-15): the same closed days in 2026 and 2027. TradingView also lists Good Friday 2026 (April 3), when CME ran a short equity index and currency session.

FAQ

When do ES futures roll?

CME's customary roll date for ES and the other US equity index futures is the Monday before the third Friday of March, June, September and December, the expiration month. The next one: ESZ6 to ESH7 on Mon, Dec 14, 2026. ESZ6 itself trades until 9:30 a.m. ET on Fri, Dec 18, 2026. The roll date is a custom, not a rule: you can move to the next contract any day before expiry.

What does Z mean in futures?

Z is the month code for December. In a symbol like ESZ6 or NQZ26, ES or NQ is the product, Z the month and 6 or 26 the year (2026). The 12 codes are F January, G February, H March, J April, K May, M June, N July, Q August, U September, V October, X November and Z December.

What happens if I hold a futures contract through expiry?

It depends on how the contract settles. Cash-settled contracts (ES, NQ, YM, RTY, their micros, and MCL) close at the final settlement price: your account gets or pays the difference and the position is gone. Physically delivered contracts (CL, GC, MGC, SI, SIL, 6E, M6E) go to delivery: a long CL holder must take 1,000 barrels of oil and pay for them in full, a long GC holder 100 ounces of gold. For gold and silver this can start on first notice day (GCZ6: Mon, Nov 30, 2026), weeks before the last trading day. Prop firm accounts and most retail accounts cannot take delivery, so expect your broker or firm to close or block the position before these dates, sometimes days early and at the market price. Roll or close before the dates on this page, and check your broker's or firm's own cutoff.

What is the difference between the last trading day and the roll date?

The last trading day is set by the exchange: after it the contract no longer trades. The roll date is when most traders move to the next contract, because volume and tight prices move there before expiry. The roll date is a market custom; this page shows CME's published date for equity index futures and a sourced convention for the others.

When does crude oil (CL) expire?

Around the 20th of the month before the contract month: trading ends 3 business days before the 25th, or 4 if the 25th is not a business day. The next one: CLZ6 stops trading on Fri, Nov 20, 2026; the suggested roll is Wed, Nov 18, 2026. Micro crude (MCL) stops one business day earlier.

Which months do gold and silver futures trade?

CME lists gold (GC) and silver (SI) in every month, but trading sits in the active months: February, April, June, August, October and December for gold (G J M Q V Z), March, May, July, September and December for silver (H K N U Z). Micro Gold (MGC) is only listed in the gold active months. This calendar rolls through the active months only.

Sources

Read on October 23, 2026. The dates are computed from each contract's CME rule. Our tests compare them with the last trading days CME publishes for ES, GC, CL, MCL and 6E, and spot-check the other contracts; check the CME calendar of your contract before you rely on a date.