The NFL 2020 schedule is expected to release the full-slate of fixtures for the upcoming season in the next week. With sport around the world currently all but non-existent, the NFL is moving ahead as planned with the league year.
The move doesn’t come as a massive surprise after last weekends’ draft went ahead, albeit in a virtual variation not seen before. With states across the country reopening many businesses, parks, and beaches, the move is in keeping with the return to business that President Trump has been pushing for weeks.
McCarthy had said on Twitter earlier in the week that the schedule would be dropping as expected, but this confirmation will have set pulses raising throughout NFL fan bases.
NFL 2020 schedule on it’s way
League spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed that the NFL 2020 schedule will be released towards the end of next week, with no major changes. This leaves the season opener on September 10th, and the Super Bowl on February 7th, 2021.
The world is currently still largely in lockdown, with major sports leagues from Australia, Europe, and the Americas all suspended. The NFL is well placed, however, with the season not scheduled to start until September.
There will likely be some restrictions when teams report to camp in July, but this will be greeted favourably by sports fans across the world. Many variants on the traditional season had bee mooted over the last few weeks, from no bye-weeks to Saturday games if the college season was cancelled.
However, it is understood that none of these ideas have been implemented in the schedule and the season will be structured as it usually is.
While the NFL has been quick to make adjustments to the league proceedings, like the Draft format, it clearly feels that the safety of the players, referees, and team officials will not be significantly impacted by a return to the field.
As yet there is no word on whether games will be played with full crowds, or indeed whether there will be any crowds whatsoever.
The Dolphins are expected to play one home game in London this season, with the Patriots being rumoured to be the opponent as part of the NFL 2020 schedule. It remains to be season if the International series, now entering it’s 14th season, will go ahead, as restrictions in London may make this more problematic.
While several countries have begin to open up after the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK has yet to relax any of it’s restrictions on movements, and the ban on large sporting events is still in place. Attempts to restart the Premier League have proved somewhat contentious, so there is a possibility these games will not take place this season.
Stay tuned for more information on the NFL 2020 schedule as and when we get it.
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