The NFL is moving its five games scheduled for London and Mexico
City this season back to U.S. stadiums because of the coronavirus
pandemic. All five regular-season games will be played at the
stadiums of the host teams.
Scheduled were two home games for the Jacksonville Jaguars at
Wembley Stadium in London and two at Tottenham’s new facility, with
the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins as hosts. The Arizona
Cardinals were to be the home team for the game at Azteca Stadium
in Mexico City.
Opponents had not been announced.
The NFL said in a statement Monday that ”in order for the entire
season to be played in NFL teams’ stadia under consistent protocols
focused on the well-being of players, personnel and fans …
Commissioner Roger Goodell made this decision after consultation
with our clubs, national and local governments, the NFL Players
Association, medical authorities and international stadium
partners.”
The NFL has staged regular-season games in London every year since
2007. Since 2013, the Jaguars have hosted one game there each
season.
”While the NFL’s many fans in London, the U.K. and Europe will
obviously be disappointed by this news, it is absolutely the right
decision to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the sport,”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said. ”I know that the NFL remains fully
committed to London and I look forward to welcoming NFL teams back
to the capital in 2021.”
Mexico City has had a regular-season game in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
”After considerable analysis, we believe the decision to play all
our games domestically this season is the right one for our
players, our clubs, and all our fans in the U.S., Mexico and
U.K.,” said Christopher Halpin, an NFL executive vice president.
”We greatly appreciate the support of our governmental and stadium
partners in Mexico and the United Kingdom, who all agree with this
decision, and we look forward to returning for games in both
countries in the 2021 season.”
The league is set to release the full schedule this week and is
planning on adhering to it, though contingencies are being
discussed as a safeguard against the pandemic.
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