📈 #11 OR in Action: What Do 4000 AWS Instances, 3 Months of Time, and the NFL Have in Common?

Here's a preview: a lot of optimization.

The scheduling of matches in a sports league is a complex task that requires taking into account a multitude of factors.

Moreover, when it comes to a league as large and complex as the NFL (National Football League), with 32 teams, 17 weeks of regular season, and multiple factors to consider, the process becomes extraordinarily intricate. Holiday dates, stadium availability, TV contracts, and much more come into play.

Today on Feasible, we will explore how the NFL tackles this logistical puzzle and the fascinating challenges it faces in creating a fair and appealing schedule for fans.

4000 AWS machines work tirelessly for three months to bring an exciting season to life.

Let's go for it!

🏈 Starting the year on the right foot

How easy is it to plan a schedule for a sports league, right?

1. You pick a team

2. Week after week in the first half of the league, you assign them an opponent under the condition that:

   1. Opponents cannot be repeated

   2. Each week they play once at home and once away

3. You replicate the same schedule for the second half of the league, swapping the home and away games

4. Once planned, you move on to the next team, repeating the process from step 1, as long as there are teams left to plan