The NFL will unveil the schedule for the 2020 season on Thursday night. The coronavirus pandemic that has ground sports to a halt across the world means there are still no guarantees the season will begin as expected on September 10, but the league has so far been adamant pro football will kick off as scheduled.
What is known, however, is that every game of the upcoming season will be played in the U.S., with the NFL moving to scrap its five international games for 2020. Four games were scheduled to be played in London and one in Mexico City, but on Monday the NFL announced it had decided to move the matchups to the U.S. instead.
"After considerable analysis, we believe the decision to play all our games domestically this season is the right one for our players, our clubs, and all our fans in the US, Mexico and U.K.," Christopher Halpin, NFL executive vice president, chief strategy and growth officer, said in a statement.
"We greatly appreciate the support of our governmental and stadium partners in Mexico and the United Kingdom, who all agree with this decision, and we look forward to returning for games in both countries in the 2021 season."
The Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins had been announced as the home teams for the five games—the Jaguars were scheduled to be the first team to play back-to-back games abroad—and will play the games in their home stadiums instead.
The uncertainty around the schedule release is particularly detrimental for team travel planners and broadcasters, who have to finalize travel arrangements and split the schedule to satisfy the current broadcasting agreement under which FOX and NFL Network carry Thursday Night Football, while NBC and ESPN broadcast Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football respectively.
FOX and CBS, meanwhile, share the Sunday afternoon schedule.
Here's all you need to know to follow the release of the 2020 NFL schedule.
When will the 2020 NFL schedule be released?
The league will publish the slate of games for the upcoming season including dates and kick off times on Thursday, May 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
TV coverage
The unveiling of the 2020 schedule will be broadcast live on NFL Network, with coverage anchored by Schedule Release '20—a three-hour show breaking down the upcoming 2020 NFL regular season with analysis of the biggest games and the primetime showdowns.
Live stream
Live streaming the schedule release will be available on NFL Networks via connected TVs, through the NFL app for phones and tablets and on NFL.com/watch on computers and laptops.
When does the 2020 NFL season start?
The NFL season is due to begin on September 10, with the defending Super Bowl LIV champions Kansas City Chiefs expected to host the first game of the campaign.
The regular season is scheduled to finish on January 3, 2021 with Super Bowl LV scheduled for February 7 in Tampa Bay, Florida.
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