The search for a prospective neutral site for the AFC title game continues.
On Friday, NFL owners voted in favor of a neutral-site AFC conference championship game in a variety of scenarios involving the Bills, Chiefs, and Bengals, following the cancellation of the Week 17 Bills-Bengals game due to Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest. Hamlin remains hospitalized but has now regained consciousness and chatted with teammates.
At least two cities have withdrawn from consideration to host the event, should it occur. According to reports from Indianapolis, the city would not be able to host the game since Lucas Oil Stadium was already booked for a national volleyball tournament that is projected to attract up to 30,000 spectators.
For many, Indianapolis was the first city that came to mind. The city annually hosts the NFL Combine and aggressively chases major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, Final Four, and every Big Ten football championship game.
Ford Field in Detroit, which is within a fair distance to Kansas City, Buffalo, and Cincinnati, is likewise unavailable.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media tweeted on Friday, “I’m told they have a previously scheduled change-out of their turf in the middle of January.” “At best, they are the seventh seed and cannot host anyway. Therefore, they will use the time to advance their field.”
Chicago is the remaining intriguing scenario. The Windy City is positioned in close proximity to the three fan bases, who are all accustomed to battling the elements in their own outdoor stadiums.
»Indianapolis and Detroit have declined to host a neutral site AFC title game«