All 3 NFL games in London next season to have early kickoffs

Posted January 21, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - All three NFL games in London next season will have early afternoon kickoffs in the U.K., meaning fans back in the U.S. will have to get up early to watch.

The NFL announced Thursday that the Nov. 1 game between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs at Wembley Stadium will start at 2:30 p.m. local time - 9:30 a.m. on the U.S. East Coast.

Early kickoffs had already been announced for the Oct. 4 game between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins (2:30 p.m. local; 9:30 a.m. EDT) and the Oct. 25 game between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars (1:30 p.m. local; 9:30 a.m. EDT).

The first NFL game at Wembley played with an early afternoon kickoff was this season's game between the Lions and Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 26. All other London games had kicked off in the early evening, translating to a 1 p.m. start in the U.S.

NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood says "our fan research has shown overwhelming support for early kickoffs."

The timing also allows the teams to fly home later the same day to begin their bye weeks.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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