When Will the NFL Schedule Be Released?
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Find out when the NFL schedule will be released for the upcoming season.
When is the NFL schedule usually released?
The National Football League typically releases its regular season schedule in mid- to late-April, after the conclusion of the NFL Draft. This year, the NFL Draft is scheduled for April 29-May 1, so we can expect the 2021 NFL regular season schedule to be released sometime afterwards.
The release of the NFL schedule is always one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the offseason for fans, as it allows them to start planning their fall and winter weekends around their favorite team’s games. The schedule release also signals the start of ticket sales for most teams, so fans can start securing their seats for the upcoming season.
So mark your calendars and start getting excited – the 2021 NFL regular season schedule will be here before you know it!
How has the NFL schedule release been affected by the pandemic?
The NFL schedule release has been affected by the pandemic in a number of ways. Firstly, the NFL has had to reschedule games due to positive COVID-19 tests amongst players and staff. Secondly, the NFL has had to adjust the schedule to accommodate for postponed games. And thirdly, the NFL has had to make changes to the playoffs and Super Bowl due to the pandemic.
What other factors could affect the release of the NFL schedule?
In addition to the television contracts, there are a number of other factors that will affect when the NFL schedule is released. These include:
-The start date of the regular season
-Byes
-Flexible scheduling
-Monday Night Football
-Thursday Night Football
How will the NFL schedule be released?
The NFL schedule will be released in April. The specific date has not been announced, but it will likely be released on a Tuesday or Wednesday. The release date is usually announced about a week in advance.
Once the schedule is released, it is possible that some games will be moved to accommodate television schedules. This usually happens with games that are scheduled for Sunday night or Monday night.
What can fans expect from the NFL schedule?
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said the league is hoping to release the full regular-season schedule sometime in May, which would be later than usual but still plenty of time for fans to start mapping out their game-day plans.
The announcement of the schedule typically comes in the form of a prime-time special on NFL Network, though it’s unclear if that will happen this year given the ongoing pandemic.
The league has already announced several changes for the upcoming season, including expanding the playoffs to include 14 teams instead of the usual 12.
What’s also still up in the air is whether fans will be able to attend games in person at all this season. That will likely depend on how well the country continues to do in terms of containing the virus, but it’s something that will be kept under close observation by league officials in the coming months.
