Chargers Forgo Home Advantage, Send Chiefs Game to Brazil
The Los Angeles Chargers have opted to send one of their home games to São Paulo, Brazil, as part of the NFL’s international series. In a surprising move,the team chose not to protect their Week 1 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs,paving the way for the game to be played on foreign soil.
Strategic Game Selection
Each year, the Chargers host the Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders as part of their AFC West schedule. However, when it came to selecting which games to shield from international relocation, the Chargers prioritized matchups against less frequent visitors.
- The Chargers were
more inclined to protect
games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, and Philadelphia Eagles. - Teams participating in the international series
can protect up to two games
, according to Sports Business Journal. - the Chargers did not protect any of their three AFC West home games.
chiefs Game Heads to São Paulo
While the specific two games the Chargers protected remain undisclosed, the decision to leave the Chiefs game unprotected has significant implications. The league reportedly has picked the Chiefs
to be the Chargers’ Week 1 opponent in Brazil. The official announcement is expected Tuesday morning.
As a result, the Chiefs game will be played in São Paulo, while the remaining eight home games—against the Steelers, Eagles, Commanders, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Raiders, and Broncos—will remain at SoFi Stadium.
Implications and Fan Reactions
The decision to send a divisional game, especially against a high-profile opponent like the Chiefs, to Brazil has sparked debate among fans. Some view it as a missed chance to showcase the team in front of their home crowd, while others see it as a strategic move to protect more lucrative or meaningful matchups.
