The 2013 NFL schedule will be released on April 16, according to sports business reporter John Ourand. The opponents for each NFL team are already known, but the dates have yet to be announced.
One thing that is known is that the Baltimore Ravens will open the season on the road instead of at M&T Bank Stadium. Since 2002, the defending Super Bowl champion has hosted the NFL Kickoff Game, which is usually held on a Thursday night.
However, the Baltimore Orioles are scheduled to host a game at Camden Yards on Thursday, September 5, which is the same date as the 2013 NFL Kickoff Game. Since the M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards are adjacent and share parking lots, the logistics could not be worked out for both games to be played simultaneously.
“After thorough discussions among the Orioles, the NFL and the Ravens, it became clear that holding both an Orioles’ game and the Ravens’ regular season opener on the same day would create logistical situations that would cause serious issues for the city of Baltimore, and fans for both teams,” Ravens Team President Dick Cass said.
“The Ravens greatly appreciate the willingness of the Orioles to adjust the start of their game in an effort to make this sports spectacular happen. But, in the end, anticipated problems with parking, rush-hour traffic, plus crowd and car congestion around Oriole Park and M&T Bank Stadium, will keep the doubleheader from taking place.”
The Ravens’ other two options for hosting the opener were Wednesday and Sunday, but neither worked out. Wednesday, Sept. 4 is the start of Rosh Hashanah, and the Orioles have a home game on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m.
Baltimore will open on the road against either an AFC North foe (Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh), Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Miami or Buffalo.
The 2013 NFL Schedule already has two match-ups set for Wembley Stadium in London, UK. Minnesota will face Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 29, followed by Jacksonville taking on San Francisco on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Update (4/15/13)
Pro Football Talk has reported that the 2013 NFL schedule release has been delayed a week or two.
Football Schedules