Sharks Announce 2016 Schedule
December 11, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release
JACKSONVILLE - The Arena Football League's 2015 American Conference Champions Jacksonville Sharks announced the team's 2016 schedule on Thursday. This year marks the 29th season of the AFL and the 7th season for the Sharks since they joined the league in 2010. The 2016 schedule fits an April to August window allowing fans to experience football year-round with a new post season format that will result in 4 teams hosting an additional home game. The Sharks will begin the 2016 season on the road against the Los Angeles KISS Saturday, April 2nd, with the Sharks' home opener set for Friday, April 15th against in-state rival, the Orlando Predators. The Sharks last appearance against Orlando ended with the Sharks defeating the Predators 55-33 to advance to the American Conference Championship.
The season opener against Los Angeles is part of a two-game road trip that will also involve the Philadelphia Soul before the Sharks reach the highly anticipated home match-up against Orlando. Along with traveling to Los Angeles and Philadelphia the Sharks will also face road games against the Tampa Bay Storm, Cleveland Gladiators, Orlando Predators, Arizona Rattlers, and Portland Thunder. In addition to the road games for the Sharks this season, Jacksonville will face Orlando twice at home, the first for the home opener and the second game will occur June 18th at Sea Best Field.
The new schedule will allow the Sharks to play each AFL team twice in the season with a unique three game matchup with Orlando and two bye weeks during the regular season. Jacksonville looks to benefit from its early season road schedule as the Sharks will play their last two regular season games with back-to-back home games facing Los Angeles July 23rd and capping off the regular season against Tampa Bay July 30th. Three of Jacksonville's last five regular season games will be played at Sea Best Field. The Sharks heavy season ending home schedule will play a major role in the Sharks pursuit of their 6th post-season in seven years.
The AFL will continue its national broadcast partnerships with ESPN and CBS Sports Network, with the national broadcast schedule to be released as early as next week.
The Jacksonville Sharks look continue their success in the AFL as the league plans on significant team expansions with overall league growth on the horizon. Jacksonville's full 2016 schedule is listed below, though dates and times are subject to change. All times listed are Eastern.
Jacksonville Sharks 2016 Schedule
Week 1: at Los Angeles (Saturday, April 2nd 10:00 p.m.)
Week 2: at Philadelphia (Monday, April 11th 7:00 p.m.)
Week 3: Orlando (Friday, April 15th 8:00 p.m.)
Week 4: Arizona (Saturday, April 23rd 7:00 p.m.)
Week 5: at Tampa Bay (Sunday, May 1st 2:00 p.m.)
Week 6: at Cleveland (Friday, May 6th 7:00 p.m.)
Week 7: Bye Week
Week 8: Portland (Saturday, May 21st 7:00 p.m.)
Week 9: at Orlando (Saturday, May 28th 7:30 p.m.)
Week 10: Philadelphia (Saturday, June 4th 7:00 p.m.)
Week 11: at Tampa Bay (Saturday, June 11th 5:00 p.m.)
Week 12: Orlando (Saturday, June 18th 7:00 p.m.)
Week 13: Cleveland (Saturday, June 25th 7:00 p.m.)
Week 14: Bye Week
Week 15: at Arizona (Saturday, July 9th 9:00 p.m.)
Week 16: at Portland (Saturday, July 16th 10:00 p.m.)
Week 17: Los Angeles (Saturday, July 23rd 7:00 p.m.)
Week 18: Tampa Bay (Saturday, July 30th 7:00 p.m.)
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