LONDON – Jaguars Owner Shad Khan feels good about what's next for the Stadium of the Future.
And what's next is a significant step.
NFL Owners on Tuesday will vote to approve the agreement between the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville regarding the Stadium of the Future. This will take place at the NFL's Fall League Meeting at the Whitely in Atlanta, Ga., and represents the final approval needed.
"I'm optimistic we'll get it done," Khan said, adding: "It's going to be awesome. It's a game-changer for the city."
Twenty-four of the NFL's 32 owners must approve the proposal, which the Jacksonville City Council approved on June 25. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and be complete in time for the 2028 season.
"You never know it's done until it's done, but I think the confidence is high," Khan said. "[Jaguars President] Mark Lamping, the team, have been actively involved with the city, with the league for a long time. We had the joint stadium finance committee meeting here a couple of weeks ago. It was well received.
"Everything they needed is on the table. The league office has spent quite a bit of time going over it to make sure we're compliant with all the league rules, so they're ready to present."
The Jaguars on Saturday will play the Chicago Bears in a road game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. They will play a home game against the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium next Sunday.
This marks the second consecutive season the Jaguars have played home and away games back-to-back in London. They beat the Atlanta Falcons in a home game at Wembley last season before beating the Buffalo Bills in a road game at Tottenham.
"The experiences are very different, different stadiums, different fan base, but I think overall very good," Khan said. "Obviously we're doing it again and hopefully we'll keep doing it with the league's consent, of course."
Khan called the back-to-back London games "very positive." The Jaguars have played a game in London every season since 2013 with the exception of the 2020 COVID-19 season.
"It's had a huge amount of maturity," Khan said. "It has gotten national and international attention, obviously. Overall, I think the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville has really benefited greatly from it."
Khan called extending the London agreement with the NFL "in process."
"We'll be discussing it with the league and the other owners, and I'm obviously optimistic," he said. "Hopefully, we'll get an extension."
Khan, who attended the University of Illinois, also on Saturday discussed the Jaguars playing the Bears – a franchise with which he has a strong connection.
"I think the first football game I ever saw was the Bears," he said. "Mike McCaskey, who was then chairman of the Bears, introduced me to [former Jaguars Owner] Wayne Weaver many, many years ago before even this thing happened, when I was on the journey trying to meet some of the owners, so the Bears have been very special to me.
"So this is a game I kind of look forward to every four years."
Getting comfortable in the UK 👀 Jaguars spent Saturday practicing in London to prepare for their first international game of two against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Check out some Saturday shots and stay tuned for all the best from the UK! 🇬🇧
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars staff during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (7) and Christian Kirk (13) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13)during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit speaks to the media following practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence speaks to the media following practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars football team during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson speaks to the media following practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars coaching staff during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerbacks Tyler Hall (left) and Zechariah McPhearson (right) walk to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13)during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars linebacker Anthony Pittman (53) during practice at The Grove on September 26, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at The Grove on September 26, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (left) and defensive end D.J. Coleman (right) walk to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver speaks to the media following practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back Jake Funk (36) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at The Grove on September 26, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive lineman offensive lineman Javon Foster (left) and defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (right) walk to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas, linebacker Caleb Johnson, and running back D'Ernest Johnson walk to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars staff during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back Jake Funk (36) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars staff during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (left), linebacker Caleb Johnson (center) and running back D'Ernest Johnson (right) walk to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive lineman offensive lineman Javon Foster (left) and defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (right) walk to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (18) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen walks to practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) during practice at The Grove on October 12, 2024.
