2016 NFL schedule to be released Thursday


Nov 15, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; The NFL Logo on goal post padding during the game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.  Detroit won 18-16.  Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The highly anticipated 2016 NFL schedule will be officially released Thursday.

ESPN and NFL Network will air specials beginning at 8 p.m. ET when the slate of games is revealed. League spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Wednesday on Twitter that the schedule had been finalized.

The league previously announced all home and away opponents for each team but not the dates for the games.

Three games scheduled for London this fall already are set. They are Indianapolis versus Jacksonville on Oct. 2, an undisclosed NFC East team against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 23 and Washington versus Cincinnati on Oct. 30.

The regular season is scheduled to begin Thursday, Sept. 8, and conclude Sunday, Jan. 1.