Winnipeg is reportedly finalizing a deal to host a preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders in August, the NFL’s first-ever appearance in the city and its first in Canada since 2013.
The game at IG Field, home of the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, would occur during the third week of the preseason (Aug. 22-26). The Bombers are on the road that week.
“We’re optimistic that we can secure this game,” Darren Cameron, the team’s director of public and player relations, told the Winnipeg Free Press on Friday. “It’s looking good and we’re working towards that game, but at this point there’s nothing more we can comment on.”
The newspaper said that representatives from both teams and NFL officials visited the stadium in April to check out the facilities.
Winnipeg is about four hours by plane and 11 hours by car from Green Bay, Wis.
The NFL last played a game north of the border when the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Buffalo Bills 34-31 in overtime on Dec. 1, 2013 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
