The opening game of the 2023 NFL season will see the Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium - for the first time in 20 years.
The NFL have confirmed some more of the schedule ahead of the new campaign, including the big Kickoff Game featuring the reigning Super Bowl champions. The full schedule for the 2023 regular season will be unveiled on Thursday evening.
Patrick Mahomes and co. will raise their second championship banner in four years at Arrowhead Stadium with the Lions the opponents. The NFC North team has not participated in an away game against the Chiefs since being defeated 45-17 two decades ago.
Since then, the Chiefs and the Lions have played each other four times as the 2007 and 2011 games were both in Detroit, while the 2015 game took place in London and the Chiefs prevailed 34-30 in Motown in 2019, which was their last meeting. The defending champions will open the new season following their superb Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in February.
The Lions finished second in the NFC North and won nine of their 17 games throughout the season. Both teams possess two of the best offenses in the league, with the Chiefs boasting the most potent offense in the league last season with 29.2 points per game. On the other hand, the Lions ranked fifth after averaging 26.6 points per game.
It was expected this matchup would be confirmed to take place in one of the overseas matches in England or Germany. But it was since confirmed the Chiefs would battle the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt this November.
As part of the International Series, two matches are set to be hosted in Germany while three will be held in London. The second match in Germany will see the Indianapolis Colts face the legendary New England Patriots in Frankfurt. In London, two matches featuring the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans will emanate from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The lone game to take place at Wembley Stadium will see Jacksonville become the first team to play two London games in a single international series as they take on the Atlanta Falcons. “We are excited to again compete in the NFL’s International Games and face off against the Falcons and Bills in London,” Jaguars star Trevor Lawrence said.
“Hosting the Falcons at Wembley Stadium will be awesome only to be followed by playing on the road against the Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. I’m pumped for the experience and know the support from Duval will be strong at both games.” Henry Hodgson, GM NFL UK, added: "We can’t wait to welcome teams to London for three brilliant weekends of football in October.
"To see the Jacksonville Jaguars extend their stay in the UK and play two regular season games here this year is indicative of the Jags’ commitment to continuing to grow their fanbase here long-term. We have staged games in London since 2007, with interest and momentum in the sport here in the UK rising year on year and look forward to giving fans the best NFL experience yet in 2023."
