November 19: Chiefs vs Rams game moving from Mexico City to Los Angeles

On November 13, the NFL announced that it will move the Monday, November 19, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams game originally scheduled for Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.

The decision is based on the determination – in consultation with the NFLPA and following a meeting and field inspection yesterday by NFL and club field experts as well as local and independent outside experts – that the playing field at Estadio Azteca does not meet NFL standards for playability and consistency and will not meet those standards by next Monday.

“We have worked extensively with our partners at Estadio Azteca for months in preparation for this game,” said NFL Executive Vice President of International Mark Waller.

“Until very recently, we had no major concerns. But, the combination of a difficult rainy season and a heavy multi-event calendar of events at the stadium, have resulted in significant damage to the field that presents unnecessary risks to player safety and makes it unsuitable to host an NFL game.

As a result, we have determined that moving the game is the right decision, and one that we needed to announce now in order to allow our teams and fans to make alternate arrangements.”

Details on ticket reimbursement procedures will be announced in the coming days.

All NFL teams that forgo a home game to play internationally are required to keep their home stadium available as a contingency, and the Rams will be announcing ticket information and other logistical details for Monday night’s game at the LA Coliseum as soon as possible.

Just earlier this week, sports writer and ESPN TV analyst Adam Schefter tweeted that the players from both the Chiefs and Rams were concerned about the playing conditions in Mexico City. Fortunately, someone was listening.