Packers and Raiders in discussions to play week 3 preseason game in Canada
Packers president Mark Murphy announced Thursday morning on Wilde and Tausch that the Packers and Raiders are in discussions to play their week 3 preseason game in Canada. The last time the Packers played an international game was in 1998 in Japan, when they were the defending Super Bowl Champions.
It's "still up in the air. But it's a possibility that we would either play in Saskatchewan or Winnipeg," said Murphy.
However if the discussions fall through, the game will likely be played at Lambeau, said Rich Ryman.
It's looking like #Packers will play Oakland in Winnipeg for preseason game No. 3. Mark Murphy said on @WildeAndTausch it looks like details will be worked out. If not, they could still end up at Lambeau Field.
— RichRymanPG (@RichRymanPG) May 2, 2019
Ryne Ryskoski is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV who attends Texas A&M University where he is majoring in journalism in hopes to one day write for a pro sports team. He can be contacted directly through twitter @rusty_ryskoski_.
Comments (15)
Since'61
May 02, 2019 at 08:30 pm
Will they play with CFL rules on a CFL field? Thanks, Since ‘61
Klincker
May 02, 2019 at 10:17 pm
No, and no.
My guess, is that they scrub down the field that has the CFL lines on it, and re-paint with NFL field lines, logos, etc.
Since'61
May 02, 2019 at 10:29 pm
I was only kidding. I know they won’t use CFL rules.
Since ‘61
Klincker
May 03, 2019 at 07:45 am
HA! My mistake...I was on a roll with replies on this subject. Wasnt thinking clearly ;)
IceBowl
May 02, 2019 at 09:18 pm
Canada has football (their version).
Seems like a financial risk. But preseason??? Who knows??
Klincker
May 02, 2019 at 10:19 pm
To me, if the 3rd pre-season game is the dress rehearsal, why have 90 man rosters sent up to Winnipeg? It would just be easier to have the game in the US on a field already set up for NFL football. I feel for the Raiders fans in Oakland, they are getting the short end of the stick on this one.
Coldworld
May 03, 2019 at 06:45 am
The Raiders don’t care about Oakland or their fan base. I’m sure part of this is trying to curry favor with the league related to their move to Las Vegas, which hasn’t gone all that smoothly. We all know internationalization is a pet project.
In real terms, adjusting the field won’t be an issue. From the perspective of location, interesting that Winnipeg is in the center of Canada (east to west) and Seskatchewan is the next Province west. Is it that the Las Vegas Raiders think they can pull fans in that area?
Alberta would be Seattle more logically. The nearest team to Winnipeg or Seskatchewan would be the Vikings, so it could be wide open for real football fans looking for an NFL fix. I wonder if we see that as fertile territory too or whether our say is limited to logistical concerns about the facilities etc.
I think the stadiums only hold about 30 to 35,000. Perhaps that’s plenty for a Raiders preseason game. Winnipeg is a much bigger place, pop about 750,000). Regina is not all that much bigger than Green Bay, a little over a couple of hundred thousand. I would think Winnipeg would therefore be more likely from a logistical perspective.
It’s not our game. If it can be organized smoothly let’s showcase the Packers.
Klincker
May 02, 2019 at 10:16 pm
I live in Winnipeg. I dont think this will happen. I dont have any inside information as to whether it will or wont. I think the field can be prepared in plenty of time, but I dont know if we have the hotel capacity for 90 man rosters, team officials, NFL officials, media, etc., on somewhat short notice. We do have hotels, but I dont know if there are two hotels that can host an entire team for 2 nights, and be up to the NFL standards for rooms.
Coldworld
May 03, 2019 at 06:33 am
Is Winnipeg Packers country?
Klincker
May 03, 2019 at 07:47 am
Yes...but there are more Vikings fans.
sonomaca
May 03, 2019 at 07:03 am
Hey, this is the game where starters play for awhile. This field had better be in VERY good condition.
Ryan3468
May 03, 2019 at 10:47 am
PreSeason Football A?
VApackerfan
May 03, 2019 at 12:25 pm
At first I missed the "pre-season" part of it and almost panicked. Thanks Roger G! You're the best!
mamasboy
May 03, 2019 at 05:46 pm
What the hell for??????????????
IceBowl
May 03, 2019 at 10:34 pm
Internationalism.