As the NFL heads to China in 2018, the league’s 99th season may actually kick off with a game here.

According to Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal, the 2018 NFL may start in China on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, with the traditional Thursday night opener following later that same week. It is rumoured that the 49ers and Rams will play in China in 2018.

As stated by Kaplan, the league’s traditional Thursday night season opener, hosted by the defending Super Bowl champion, would be played later in the same week as the China game.

The most important thing for the kickoff is that the NFL have to take into consideration the time difference and different viewership schedules between America and China. Also the league must choose a Chinese broadcast partner to carry the game, as well as a stadium to host it.

Source: SportsBusiness Journal

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin