NFL RETURNS TO MEXICO
OAKLAND TO HOST NEW
ENGLAND IN MEXICO CITY IN 2017
Building
off the tremendous success of the 2016 game in Mexico, the NFL will return to Mexico
City in 2017 when the Oakland Raiders host the New England Patriots at Estadio
Azteca, NFL Commissioner ROGER
GOODELL announced today at his press conference in Houston in advance of
Super Bowl LI.
The
date and time of the game will be determined in conjunction with the release of
the NFL schedule this spring. The game
in Mexico is the fifth international game confirmed for 2017, adding to the
four previously announced games in London, and a testament to the NFL’s
increased commitment to growing the game beyond the borders of the United
States.
“We
have a tremendous fan base in Mexico,” Goodell said. “Their passion for
football is inspiring, and we look forward to another memorable game in Mexico
City between two great teams next season.”
The
Raiders will play in Mexico for the second consecutive season after earning a
27-20 win over the Houston Texans on November 21 before a sellout crowd of
76,473 in the first-ever Monday Night Football game played outside of the
United States.
“The
Raiders are excited to return to Estadio Azteca and represent the National
Football League once again on an international stage,” said Raiders Owner MARK DAVIS. “We enjoyed tremendous
support from the Raider Nation in Mexico in 2016 and look forward to
experiencing that great passion again this year.”
The
Patriots will play their first-ever regular-season game in Mexico.
“The largest
crowd the Patriots have played in front of was in Mexico City in 1998,” said
Patriots Chairman and CEO ROBERT KRAFT. “It was a great experience and I am looking forward
to our return. I know that we have a lot of passionate Patriots fans in Mexico.
We have had plenty of success in international games and I attribute that to
our tremendous fan support in those venues. I look forward to meeting some of
our fantastic fans and enjoying the food and culture there in the fall."
Fans
interested in receiving information about tickets for the game, which will go
on sale this summer, should register their interest at www.nfl.com/mexico/registration. Season ticket members of Oakland and New
England will receive information directly from the clubs once tickets are ready
for sale.
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