49ers, Rams to play 2018 game in China

According to the Sports Business Daily, the 49ers have been selected as the opponent for the Rams in China for the play-in game during the 2018 season, even though NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy claims nothing is definitive yet.

While no official date has been set for the matchup, it’s being speculated that this game would be the Rams’ home opener on their 2018 slate. The game, set to take place in 2007 before the Summer Olympics, was later postponed to 2009 before it was ultimately canceled.

“We actually have multiple teams that are interested in playing”, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at the time, per Wagoner.

Last spring, there were reports that the National Football League wanted to expand its global presence to China, and several teams showed an interest in playing a game there.

“To sell out of season tickets in the first six hours upon our return to Los Angeles is both humbling and a reminder of how excited Angelinos are about the return of the Rams and the NFL”, Kevin Demoff, Rams chief operating officer, said in an email to The Times. In 2013, they beat the Jaguars 42-10 at London’s Wembley Stadium.

There are three other global games on the 2016 schedule, including a Week 4 meeting between the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars and a Week 8 battle between the Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium. In addition, the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders will play November 21 in Mexico City.

In recent years, the National Football League has made a push to increase its global popularity by scheduling regular season games in London.