The NFL has announced its U.K. International Series schedule for the 2016 season, and the Washington Redskins could become the first team to play two consecutive games in London, according to the Associated Press. The NFL is also adding a new venue in the Twickenham Stadium, and it features three teams that have not played regular-season games in London.
First is a divisional matchup between AFC South rivals the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts in week four at Wembley Stadium. The Jaguars owner, Shad Khan, has been consistent with wanting his team to play in London, having stated that he wants a long-term deal for the team to play in London regularly.
Week seven in 2016 will see the first NFL game at Twickenham Stadium, where the St. Louis Rams will host the NFC East team that finishes the same spot in the standings as the Rams do in the NFC West, according to the NFL. Then in week eight on Sunday, Oct. 30, the Cincinnati Bengals will play their first international game against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins could technically play consecutive weeks in London if they fall in the same standings spot as the Rams at the end of this season.
"The passion our UK fans have shown for the NFL is overwhelming," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, via the NFL. "We are very appreciative of the strong and growing fan support, not only for the game, but for all of the related NFL events we host in the UK throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming new fans to their first NFL game in 2016 and welcoming back thousands of others that are helping our sport grow to new levels of popularity and beyond."
The Redskins, Bengals and Colts will all be playing their first regular-season game in London, as the NFL is clearly trying to spread their brand globally. The NFL is reportedly well along in the process of trying to play a game in Mexico City, and if a logistics issue can be fixed, the game is expected to be played there in mid-Nov. in 2016, according to NFL reporter Albert Breer.
The NFL has made a commitment to spreading football across the globe, and with the new schedule released, fans in London can begin to plan which game or games they wish to attend.
