Los Angeles Rams

Report: The Rams know who they'll play in China in 2018

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:32 p.m. ET

Dan Graf

The NFL has been talking about playing its first regular-season game in China for years, with 2018 as the latest targeted date in a matchup involving the Los Angeles Rams, but now there is an opponent and a possible spot on the schedule to fill in the blanks.

Sports Business Daily reported Tuesday that the San Francisco 49ers will play the Rams, with the game most likely serving as Los Angeles’ home opener. SBD cites sources for the information but got only this statement out NFL VP of communications Brian McCarthy:

“We have not announced the Rams’ opponent in the event we play a game there. We have said we are exploring playing a game there but nothing is definitive.”

Such a game would have to be approved by NFL owners at a league meeting in October.

The NFL will play three regular-season games in London this season, bringing its total to 17 there since 2007. In addition, the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders will play Nov. 21 in Mexico City. That will be Mexico’s second regular-season game and first since 2005.