FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; WED., NOV. 25, 2015
FROM CINCINNATI BENGALS PUBLIC RELATIONS
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NFL SELECTS BENGALS
FOR 2016 GAME IN LONDON
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* The Bengals have been selected by the NFL for the league's International Series in 2016, with Cincinnati hosting a regular-season game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 30, at Wembley Stadium in London.*
* The Bengals and Redskins will join the ranks of 21 NFL teams which already have played regular-season games in London in the current International Series format (begun in 2007). The Week 8 contest will air live on FOX Network affiliates in the Bengals home market, including WXIX-TV (Channel 19) in Cincinnati. Kickoff time is yet to be announced.*
* "We are proud to be a part of the NFL's initiative to grow our game abroad, and we believe this game will be a source of pride for Cincinnati as well," said Bengals president Mike Brown. "It will provide a strong platform for our region's culture and recent progress. And we've long known that we have fans in London and the U.K. A number have visited Cincinnati for games over the years. We know they will be out to cheer us on, along with fans from our area who choose to travel to the game."*
* Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said, "We're excited to take our team to London and take on the Washington Redskins. We're proud to show off the NFL game. And we always look for ways to keep a long season fresh and exciting for players. I know our players will respond well to this opportunity."*
* Dan Lincoln, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cincy USA, is among local civic leaders applauding the decision.*
* "A game like this is an incredible opportunity for the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau," Lincoln said. "We're working to attract meetings, conventions, events and visitors from all over the world. This puts Cincinnati front and center on the world stage, and we'll have a chance to give meeting planners and business leaders a glimpse into the amazing convention environment and visitor experience we can offer here."*
Johnna Reeder, President and CEO of REDI Cincinnati, added, "Cincinnati is a world-class destination for business, yet people across the pond don't often get the chance to learn about our great architecture, arts and culture, and culinary influences. Now we'll get to bring that Cincinnati experience and our rich European heritage right to London. This opens a door to tell the Cincinnati story to a new international audience that's learning what a special place this is to visit, to do business, to host high-profile events."
* Jim Moehring, co-owner of the Holy Grail in The Banks, said:*
* "The Bengals have been nothing but great partners with the Grail, and they are obviously becoming even higher profile. And with that comes these kinds of games. From our perspective, trading one Sunday afternoon game against the Redskins for more prime-time games and playoff games is a big win for The Banks and the city. Let's not forget that that the Bengals have brought many more events other than their games. Between the University of Cincinnati home football games last year, moving training camp downtown and the concerts that they put on, Paul Brown Stadium and the Bengals are an economic development engine that benefits all of us."*
* Two other regular season games will be played in London in 2016. On October 2, the Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Indianapolis Colts (Wembley Stadium), and on October 23, the St. Louis Rams will host a to-be-determined NFC opponent (Twickenham Stadium). This will bring the number of NFL teams which have participated to potentially 24 (75 percent of all NFL teams).*
* Information regarding tickets to the game and travel packages will be available at a later date. To receive updates on tickets and travel packages, fans may register on the Bengals' web site, putting Bengals.com/London in their browsers. Priority access to tickets will be provided to Bengals Season Ticket Members.*
