Jacksonville, Fla.– The Jacksonville Jaguars today announced that the Jaguars will play two of their home games at Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, over consecutive Sundays in London in 2020, making them the first team in NFL history to play two home games outside of the United States in the same regular season.
While the opponents for the games to be played in Wembley Stadium have not been determined, the Jaguars can confirm that their home games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears in 2020 will be played in Jacksonville at TIAA Bank Field.
In 2020, Jaguars season ticket members will receive a 50 percent discount on preseason games and favorable variable pricing on the six regular season games that will result in an overall average ticket price reduction of 5 percent, representing a 15 percent savings off their invoice from last season. In addition, season ticket holders will receive a strong benefits package with features both new and improved that will be announced during the renewal process.
The timing of this announcement is strategically aligned with the team's ambitious and big-picture plans for Jacksonville and, specifically, the planned Lot J development.When completed, Phase One of the proposed $500 million Lot J project in partnership with Cordish Companies would feature an entertainment district, a 200-room hotel, residential buildings offering 405 units and additional parking.
Overall, the Lot J project is designed to redefine the downtown experience and landscape while stimulating further development in the downtown and stadium area. It is also the latest, and biggest, endeavor spearheaded by the Jaguars to help Jacksonville realize its full potential.
Over the past eight seasons, initiatives led by the Jaguars have included more than $100 million privately invested in enhancements for the publicly owned TIAA Bank Field that have resulted in the world's largest outdoor videoboards, pools, cabanas, club seat areas and unique premium seating offerings, as well as the successful and popular Daily's Place amphitheater and adjacent Dream Finders Homes Flex Field at Daily's Place complex that bring thousands of residents and visitors downtown for many music events annually. Major stadium concerts like The Rolling Stones, Green Day and Def Leppard-Motley Crue, combined with the team's partnership with the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, have similarly delivered benefits for the team, the economy and quality of life for the community.
Similarly, playing one home game annually in London since 2013 to grow the team's brand internationally and forge business opportunities in Jacksonville while generating team-record revenues that are reinvested in the franchise has been essential in the team's goal to keep pace with NFL franchises of all market sizes.Playing home games in London will continue to be very be important to the Jaguars during the transition period expected during the Lot J construction.
"Our work to create new sources of revenue to help us improve our long-term outlook and commitment to operating a thriving franchise in Jacksonvillewill continue and never end," said Mark Lamping, president of the Jacksonville Jaguars. "For the past seven seasons, our London strategy has been a game-changer. No single approach, including London, will answer the many challenges that are common with any market the size of Jacksonville. However, playing two games in London at Wembley Stadium, where we have outstanding relationships, at least next season and perhaps in future years during construction, will help us bridge the gap between now and when we expect the Lot J development to open. Jacksonville's potential is unlimited, and I am confident we can realize it, with the Jaguars serving as the catalyst."
"First, I want to make it clear that our first priority is winning, and anything we do or say away from that will never be more important than giving Jacksonville a team that wins and the community can be proud to call its own," added Shad Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. "We are committed first and foremost to winning, and that commitment drives me and everyone at the Jaguars every day.
"We've also been honest about the importance of what playing games in London means to the vitality of the Jaguars as a franchise, and what a vibrant downtown means not only for the Jaguars, but for everyone who calls Jacksonville their home or maybe is thinking about coming here to live, raise a family, start a business or just spend more time here. I believe in what's possible for Jacksonville and am going to do whatever it takes to help the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville to reach its full potential. What we plan for the 2020 season and maybe a bit longer is all about believing in what Jacksonville can ultimately become, all while continuing to further grow and develop partnerships and a fan following in London and throughout the UK that have turned out to be pretty remarkable.
"This isn't about next season or the next few seasons in Jacksonville, but really about the next 10 years, 25 years and beyond. There is no better time than now to capitalize on the opportunity to play two home games in London, where we will continue to develop our loyal and growing fan base there and throughout the UK, during a period in which I will be focused heavily on creating a new downtown experience that we want, need and must have here. We have an exceptional opportunity right in front of us for Jacksonville to meet its potential and be the city I imagined we'd become when I arrived here in 2011. I am optimistic and believe it will happen."
