NFL Approves 17-Game Regular Season and International Scheduling Changes

The preseason will be shortened to three games as a result and teams can host up to 10 total games.

NFL owners have voted and approved a 17-game regular season.

Here are the added 17th games for the 2021 season, plus an outline of how the schedule works going forward: pic.twitter.com/swfcHuTQa9

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 30, 2021

As a result, the preseason has been shortened to three games. In addition, teams will host ten games—either nine regular season games and one preseason game or eight regular season games and two preseason games.

The schedule changes weren't the only proposals approved by the NFL owners, though. The scheduling of international games, in which each team would play one neutral-site international game every eight seasons, has also been approved. This change would begin to take place in the 2022, according to the cover letter and attached resolution obtained by The MMQB's Albert Breer. 

International games will begin at 9 a.m. ET and the NFL will also have the right to schedule up to four regular-season games at neutral sites outside of the U.S.