The NFL has selected Atlanta as the venue for the AFC Championship game if the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs clash in the conference finals.
Earlier, NFL owners approved an unprecedented postseason strategy to hold a game at a neutral site following the cancellation of the Bills’ matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2.
Initially suspended and then postponed due to Damar Hamlin’s collapse from cardiac arrest, the game’s unique circumstances led to this decision.
The Bills played one game less than the Chiefs, impacting their chance to secure the AFC’s top seed fairly. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is slated to host the game if both teams advance.
“We are encouraged by Damar Hamlin’s ongoing recovery progress, and he and his family remain in the thoughts of the entire NFL community,” stated NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday.
“We appreciate Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons for agreeing to host the AFC Championship Game in Atlanta if the Bills and Chiefs advance. Both clubs have been instrumental in the planning process.”
Atlanta had been pre-designated by the NFL as a potential host for relocated postseason games prior to the season’s start. The league highlighted that Atlanta is nearly equidistant from the cities of both potential participating teams.