Packers will play an international game in next nine years
The Green Bay Packers are the only team in the league yet to play an NFL International Series game, either in the United Kingdom or Mexico.
With the new 17-game format coming in this season, it will soon lead to a Packers game internationally.
Up to this point, the Packers have been unwilling to give up one of their home games at Lambeau Field. And understandably so. Similarly, opposing teams have also declined the opportunity to move a home game versus the Packers to another stadium. Packers fans always travel well and just about guarantee a packed stadium.
However, with the new 17-game schedule, every two seasons, Green Bay will play nine home games. And that now means they will “host” a game internationally at least once every eight seasons.
According to Neil Reynolds of NFL.com and Sky Sports, starting in 2022, four teams from the conference scheduled to host nine home games will play one of them internationally. In the ’22 season, the NFC will benefit from an additional home game. It will continue to rotate between the two conferences each season.
The Packers will have to give up a home game, but only during a year when they are playing nine at home. This means they would still get eight games at Lambeau Field as usual.
Given the popularity of the Packers worldwide, the demand for them to play in the NFL International Series, and the fact they’re the only team yet to participate, it would be no surprise at all if they are selected in 2022.
Actually, would be over nine years, because rotation doesn't start until 2022, but I suspect #Packers won't be waiting that long.
— RichRymanPG (@RichRymanPG) March 30, 2021
Playing home games internationally will now become normal for every team in the league, at least once every eight years.
And with so many fans across the world, expect a Packers game in the NFL International Series to sell out very quickly.
What are your thoughts on the 17-game season and the new rules for the international games?