The NFL has announced a contingency plan that could see Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, host a highly anticipated AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. This unprecedented move is a direct result of the unfortunate cancellation of the Week 17 game between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, a decision made in the wake of Damar Hamlin’s critical injury.
Last week, NFL clubs approved a resolution to address the competitive imbalance created by this canceled game. This resolution dictates that if both the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs advance and are set to compete for the AFC Championship, the game will be played at a neutral venue. This extraordinary measure is only applicable because both teams were in contention for the number one seed in the AFC and the right to host the championship game, a scenario disrupted by the uneven number of games played by each team.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was pre-selected by the NFL as a potential backup location for postseason games at the beginning of the 2022 season. Its selection as the neutral site is strategic, given its near equidistant location from both Buffalo and Kansas City, ensuring relatively fair travel for both fan bases. It’s important to note that this neutral site consideration is only triggered by a Bills vs. Chiefs AFC Championship matchup. All other potential AFC Championship scenarios will proceed as usual, hosted by the home stadium of the team with the higher seed.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the exceptional circumstances leading to this decision. “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,” stated Commissioner Goodell. He further expressed gratitude to Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons organization for their willingness to host such a pivotal game on short notice, should it be necessary. “We thank both of those clubs for their assistance in the planning process. We know, if necessary, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will provide a world class atmosphere for the competing teams, our fans and partners.”
Details regarding ticketing and game day logistics are expected to be released in the near future. It has been confirmed that Buffalo and Kansas City Season Ticket Members who had previously expressed interest in purchasing championship game tickets will be given priority access to tickets for the potential game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
