TEMPE, Ariz. — It has been almost four months since the Arizona Cardinals last played a football game. And while we still have four more months to wait until the next game, when will we learn the Cardinals' schedule for the 2024-25 season?
The NFL has been very vague so far when it comes to when exactly next season's schedule will come out, but here's what we know.
When will the NFL schedule be released?
Since 2020, the NFL has released the schedule in early May. For the past two seasons, the schedule was released on the second Thursday in May.
So that means this year, the NFL has scheduled its official schedule release special for Wednesday, May 15 at 5 p.m. on the NFL Network and ESPN 2.
Ahead of the full schedule release, expect to see some of the games, such as international matchups, Black Friday and Christmas Day games revealed earlier in the week.
Who will the Cardinals play this season?
While we don't know when the games will be just yet, we do know who the Cardinals will play in 2024.
The Cardinals will play the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium this year, along with their three NFC West division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.
On the road this season, the Cardinals will play the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers, along with the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks.
How did the NFL determine the Cardinals' opponents?
- The Cardinals play six games against their NFC West division opponents
- One game at home and one game on the road against the 49ers, Rams and Seahawks
- The Cardinals play four games against the teams from another NFC division
- That would be the NFC North this year
- 2 games at home (Bears, Lions)
- 2 games on the road (Packers, Vikings)
- That would be the NFC North this year
- The Cardinals play four games against teams from an AFC division
- That would be AFC East this year
- 2 games at home (Patriots, Jets)
- 2 games on the road (Dolphins, Bills)
- That would be AFC East this year
- Since the Cardinals finished in last place in the NFC West last season, they will also face the last-place teams from the NFC East and South
- 1 game at home (Commanders)
- 1 game on the road (Panthers)
- The Cardinals' final opponent (the Chargers) is a non-conference opponent that finished in last place in 2023 in a division (AFC West) that the Cardinals do not otherwise play
Have any 2024-25 matchups already been released?
Yes! The only full game that has been revealed is a matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers that will be played in São Paulo, Brazil on Sept. 6.
We also know the Super Bowl LVII champion Kansas City Chiefs will open the season on Sept. 5, but their opponent for that game has not yet been revealed.
Will the Cardinals play an international game in 2024?
It's possible! The Cardinals are scheduled to play the Vikings, who will play a game in London, and the Panthers, who will play a game in Germany, this season. This also means if the Cardinals play overseas this year, it will be a road game, meaning the Cardinals will play nine games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
The Cardinals last played internationally in 2022 when they traveled to Mexico City to play the 49ers. The Cardinals have not played in Europe since 2017 when they played the Rams.
The Cardinals also played in Mexico City against the 49ers in 2005.
When will the Cardinals open the 2024 season?
Since the Cardinals do not play the Chiefs this year and they are not headed to Brazil, expect Arizona to play their first game of the 2024 season on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Until then, the Cardinals will take part in their annual offseason program.
Rookie minicamp will run May 10-12, Voluntary Organized Team Activities will be held May 20-22, 28-30 and June 3-6. Mandatory minicamp will be held June 11-13. Training camp will open in July.
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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