Early in NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s annual press conference, he was asked about the NFL playing a game in Mexico City for the first time since 2005.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported earlier in the week that the Texans and Raiders were expected to play a game at Azteca Stadium during the 2016 regular season. On Friday, Goodell confirmed it.
Goodell said that the two teams will play on Monday, November 21 in Mexico’s capital with the Raiders serving as the “home” team. The last game played in the stadium drew over 100,000 fans.
“Expanding our International Series of regular-season games to Mexico marks an important step in our continued international growth,” Goodell said in a release from the league sent out shortly after the announcement. “We have a tremendous, passionate fan base in Mexico and we know the atmosphere on game day will be outstanding.”
The announcement means that there will be four games played outside the United States during the 2016 season. The Jaguars, Rams and Bengals will be serving as “home” teams for games in London that will be played at Wembley and Twickenham Stadiums.