Oct 26, 2014; London; General view of opening kickoff of the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs on Thursday announced the team will host the Detroit Lions for a home game in London on Nov. 1, 2015.
The announcement marks the first time in team history the Chiefs will participate in the NFL’s International Series played at Wembley Stadium.
“It is an honor for Kansas City to represent the NFL on an international stage,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan said in a released statement. “We are excited for the opportunity this creates for our fans, our city and the global growth of the Chiefs brand.”
The Chiefs will have seven home games at Arrowhead Stadium during the 2015 regular season.
The Chiefs, however, did not clarify in the news release how a home game in London will affect overall ticket prices for season ticket holders.
An email inquiry was sent to the Chiefs requesting clarification on that matter.
UPDATE: Chiefs president Mark Donovan held a news conference Thursday afternoon to address the team’s trip to London. Donovan said season ticket holders will only pay for nine games instead of 10.
“Obviously they will be paying for one less game,” Donovan told reporters.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are one of six NFL teams to play in London in 2015, joining the Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.
Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt serves as the International Committee chairman, a role he’s held since 2011.
The NFL has played at least one regular-season game in London every year since 2007.
The Chiefs hosting a game in London could open the door for Kansas City to be considered to host a Super Bowl in the future, in accordance with the new NFL rules as pointed out on Twitter by Jenny Vrentas of Sports Illustrated.
UPDATE: Donovan indicated the Chiefs going to London is not “directly related” to Kansas City potentially bidding to host a future Super Bowl.
“The Super Bowl decision is more a cold weather issue than anything else,” Donovan told reporters. “The league is still going through that process after New York, so this isn’t directly related.”
