COMEX Gold Futures Calendar
First notice day, last trading day and options expiry for every COMEX gold futures month over the next year, with a countdown to the next date and what each one changes for spot and CFD traders.
| Contract | Options expiry (OG) | First notice day | Last trading day |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCX26 November 2026 | — | — | |
| GCZ26 December 2026 · active month | |||
| GCF27 January 2027 | — | — | |
| GCG27 February 2027 · active month | |||
| GCH27 March 2027 | — | — | |
| GCJ27 April 2027 · active month | |||
| GCK27 May 2027 | — | — | |
| GCM27 June 2027 · active month | |||
| GCN27 July 2027 | — | — | |
| GCQ27 August 2027 · active month | |||
| GCU27 September 2027 | — | — | |
| GCV27 October 2027 · active month | |||
| GCX27 November 2027 | — | — |
Dates generated from CME Group's published contract rules and US exchange holidays; rules last checked 10 November 2026. Exchange calendars can change (for example after an unscheduled closure): confirm on CME Group's own gold futures calendar before acting on a date. Add these dates to your calendar (.ics).
What these dates mean
A gold futures contract has an end date. COMEX gold futures (symbol GC, 100 troy ounces) are listed for many months, but most trading happens in the next "active" month: February, April, June, August, October or December. As that month gets close, traders who do not want to deliver or receive physical gold close it and open the next one. That switch is called the roll.
- Options expiry (OG): the last day the monthly gold options on that contract trade. It falls in the month before the contract month.
- First notice day (FND): the first day a seller can give notice to deliver gold. Speculators usually roll before this day, so volume moves to the next month around it.
- Last trading day (LTD): trading in the contract ends; open positions settle by delivery.
What changes for a spot or CFD trader
- Charts can jump. A "continuous" futures chart (GC1!, GC=F) switches to the next contract, which trades a few dollars higher because of the futures premium (the basis). That jump is not a real move. See the gold futures curve and basis.
- Some products roll too. Gold CFDs priced from futures (rather than spot) change reference month near these dates, and the provider may adjust open positions for the price difference. Spot XAUUSD has no expiry and uses an overnight swap instead: swap calculator.
- Spreads and liquidity. Around the roll, liquidity is spread across two months. Read your provider's notices for the exact dates it uses.
Learn more: spot gold vs gold futures and gold futures vs micro gold futures.
How the dates are worked out
CME Group publishes the rules: the last trading day is the third last business day of the contract month; the first notice day is the last business day of the month before; monthly options stop trading on the fourth last business day of the month before the contract month, or the business day before that if it is a Friday or the day before a holiday. Business days skip weekends and US exchange holidays. We generate the table from those rules and cross-checked them against published dates for past and future contracts.
Frequently asked questions
When does the December gold futures contract expire?
Look for the GCZ row in the table: it shows the first notice day (the last business day of November) and the last trading day (the third last business day of December) for the coming December contract.
What is first notice day in gold futures?
The first day a seller can give notice that they will deliver physical gold against the contract. Most speculators close or roll their position before it.
When do gold options expire?
Monthly COMEX gold options (OG) stop trading on the fourth last business day of the month before the contract month, or one business day earlier if that day is a Friday or the day before a holiday.
Does spot XAUUSD expire?
No. Spot gold has no expiry date; positions held overnight pay or earn a swap instead. Gold CFDs based on futures do roll, so check your provider’s product details.
Why did my gold futures chart jump?
Continuous charts switch to the next contract month at the roll. The next month usually trades higher because of the futures premium, so the chart shows a gap that was not a real price move.
Educational tool only. Not financial advice and not a signal. Check your own broker's contract specification, margin rules and costs. Past data does not predict future prices. See our risk disclaimer.