NFL announces new stadium location for Packers vs. Saints Week 1 matchup

The New Orleans Saints’ home game vs. the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 will now be played at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.

With Hurricane Ida wreaking havoc all over Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, the New Orleans Saints will now “host” the Green Bay Packers at TIAA Bank Field over in Jacksonville, Florida for Week 1.

TIAA Bank Field is the home of the AFC South’s Jacksonville Jaguars, as well as the stadium that hosts the massive SEC East rivalry game between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs annually around Halloween. NOLA.com reports TIAA Bank Field was the only NFL stadium in the southeastern footprint that could accommodate the Packers and the Saints on this short notice.

Kickoff for this game will be in the same late-afternoon slot. Toe meets rubber at 4:25 p.m. ET.

Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints will now be played at TIAA Bank Field

Jacksonville is playing the Houston Texans on the road in Week 1, but other venues such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and Nissan Stadium in Nashville have games going on. AT&T Stadium in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has a concert scheduled. Raymond James Stadium in Tampa kicks off the season on Thursday night that week.

While Jacksonville is far away from New Orleans, at least the game can be played on time in Duval.