The Raiders are currently searching for a home stadium for the 2019 season, leaving season ticket holders in limbo.
It was announced last year that the team would not stay in Oakland – their home for the past 23 years – but instead, would move to the 65,000-seat new stadium in Las Vegas. However, the new stadium will not be ready for another year, and the team does not have a lease to play anywhere in 2019. While season ticket holders are already placing $100 deposits for the 2020 season, the Raiders haven’t begun selling seats for this year.
According to sports business analyst Darren Rovell, the Raiders have reportedly started the process of calling season ticket holders and telling them that they don’t know where they’re going to play this season, but a ticket representative will “stay in touch.”
At this time, there still isn’t a solution in sight, however, it’s rumored that the Raiders will move their home games to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, which is already housing the 49ers, or the Giants’ Oracle Park. Fans are also suggesting that the team should play four games in London, since the NFL already wants to test out having a team at White Hart Lane stadium, as well as Mexico City. In December, team owner Mark Davis said the team has a “number of host options.”
The Daily Mail reported late last year that the English soccer club Tottenham and the Raiders are in talks to use the 62,000-capacity London stadium for eight home games. However, if the team does actually play in London this year, this could pose as a travel problem for both fans and players.
Fans weighed in on the issue:
Man, if only there was a 36,000 seat stadium that already existed in Las Vegas that currently hosts an NCAA D1 team and a college football bowl game.
— Russ Morgan (@NevadaUte) January 28, 2019
4 games in Mexico 4 games in London, why is this so hard
— The Great Wang (@realgreatwang) January 28, 2019
Imagine telling a fan base this. “Yeah um we play games in about 6-7 months, but we don’t have a field yet.”
— Jimmy Carpenter (@Jimmy__Carp) January 28, 2019
Fake News. I’m a season ticket holder since the return to Oakland. Spoke to my rep today. Your source is giving you BS, or you made this up. The Raiders may or may not play at the Coliseum, but reps are not telling STHs where the team will or will not play in 2019.
— Goose (@glassfloats) January 29, 2019
I’m a Raiders season ticket holder. It’s a weird feeling right now. Its like breaking up with your girlfriend and not knowing you broke up.
— Philmo (@philmo_) January 23, 2019
The 2019 NFL season is tentatively set to begin on September 5 at the home stadium of the Super Bowl LIII champion. This Sunday, the New England Patriots will face the Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz stadium.
