The NFL is staying Stateside in 2020. The league issued a statement on Monday announcing that games previously scheduled for England and Mexico would instead be played in US.
No games in the UK means the early window will be completely eliminated for the 2020 season. The four games played there usually kick off at 9:30 AM on the East Coast. It will certainly be a development welcomed by fans on the West Coast.
“After considerable analysis, we believe the decision to play all our games domestically this season is the right one for our players, our clubs, and all our fans in the US, Mexico and UK,” NFL Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer Christopher Halpin said in a press release. “We greatly appreciate the support of our governmental and stadium partners in Mexico and the United Kingdom, who all agree with this decision, and we look forward to returning for games in both countries in the 2021 season.”
The move not only keeps NFL teams from having to travel outside the country. It also allows the NFL to play with the effected team’s bye weeks. That will be important as the NFL explores all options for a full 16-game season.
