The National Football League (NFL) has announced a contingency plan that could see Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta hosting a highly anticipated AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. This unprecedented scenario arises from the unique circumstances following the cancellation of the Week 17 game between Buffalo and Cincinnati, a decision made to ensure competitive fairness across the league.
Last week, NFL club owners approved a resolution addressing the imbalance created by the Bills-Bengals game cancellation. This resolution stipulates that if both the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs win their respective divisional round games and advance to the AFC Championship, and if these teams played an unequal number of regular season games, the championship game would be held at a neutral venue. This condition is met as both teams were in contention for the coveted number one seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, which could have been decided differently had all teams completed a full 17-game schedule.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta has been designated as this neutral site. Chosen for its state-of-the-art facilities and its almost equidistant location from both Buffalo and Kansas City, Atlanta was already on the NFL’s shortlist as a potential backup host for postseason games before the 2022 season commenced. This strategic choice ensures logistical ease and fair access for fans of both teams, transforming Mercedes-Benz Stadium into a crucial stage in the NFL playoffs, particularly for fans of Mercedes Buffalo. It’s worth noting that all other AFC Championship Game matchups that do not involve this specific Buffalo-Kansas City scenario will proceed as traditionally scheduled, hosted by the home stadium of the higher-seeded team.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed the league’s sentiments, 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.” He further added, “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. 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.”
Further details regarding this potential AFC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including crucial ticket information for fans, will be released in due course. 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, ensuring their dedicated fanbase has the first opportunity to witness this potentially historic game at Mercedes Buffalo – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
