The National Football League has announced a contingency plan that could see the AFC Championship game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs played at a neutral site – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This decision arises from the unique circumstances following the cancellation of the Week 17 game between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. For fans of the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, and indeed for any follower of the NFL, this is a significant development.
The possibility of relocating such a crucial game to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a world-class venue, comes into play if both the Bills and Chiefs win their respective divisional round games. This unprecedented scenario is a direct result of the NFL’s commitment to fairness and competitive balance. The cancellation of the Bills-Bengals game created a situation where both Buffalo and Kansas City could have potentially secured the coveted number one seed in the AFC and hosted the championship game under normal circumstances. To address this inequity, the NFL owners approved a resolution allowing for a neutral site game.
Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium was pre-selected by the NFL as a potential backup location for postseason games at the start of the 2022 season. Its selection as the potential neutral venue for this AFC Championship matchup is strategic, given its almost equidistant location from both Kansas City and Buffalo. This minimizes travel burdens for both teams and their fans, ensuring as fair an environment as possible under the circumstances. It’s worth noting that all other potential AFC Championship matchups will proceed as traditionally scheduled, hosted by the team with the higher seed.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the extraordinary situation, stating, “We are heartened by the continued improvement and progress of Damar Hamlin in his recovery, and Damar and his family remain top of mind for the entire NFL community. We are also grateful to Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons for agreeing to host the AFC Championship Game in Atlanta should the Bills and Chiefs advance.” He further emphasized the quality of the venue, “We know, if necessary, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will provide a world class atmosphere for the competing teams, our fans and partners.”
Details regarding tickets and related information for a potential AFC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be released subsequently. It is confirmed that Buffalo and Kansas City Season Ticket Members who had previously committed to purchasing championship game tickets will be given priority access. This ensures that the most dedicated fans from both Kansas City and Buffalo will have the first opportunity to witness this potentially historic game at a neutral, yet exceptional, venue like Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
