The NFL has called off its annual International Series games in London and Mexico City this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The league made the decision to play all games in the United States “in order for the entire season to be played in NFL teams’ stadia under consistent protocols focused on the well-being of players, personnel and fans,” the NFL said in a statement.
Commissioner Roger Goodell made the decision after talking to “our clubs, national and local governments, the NFL Players Association, medical authorities and international stadium partners.”
“We thank our incredible fans in those territories for their passionate support of the NFL,” Christopher Halpin, the NFL’s executive vice president, chief strategy and growth officer, said in a statement. “We will continue to serve them through our outstanding media partners and by being active supporters of both grassroots football and COVID-19 relief efforts in Mexico and the UK. We look forward to returning for games in both countries in the 2021 season.”
The NFL will release its full 17-game regular-season schedule this week.
The league was set to hold four games in London and one in Mexico City this season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were slated to play two home games in London’s Wembley Stadium, while two other NFL contests were scheduled to be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins as hosts.
The NFL also was scheduled to play a game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with the Arizona Cardinals as the home team.
