The Buffalo Bills will host the Washington Redskins in Toronto in the fourth instalment of their five-year series of playing annual home games at Rogers Centre.
The game will be played Oct. 30 in a scheduled released by the NFL on Tuesday and has Buffalo opening the season on the road at Kansas City on Sept. 11. The schedule is dependent on whether the labour dispute between the league and its players does not delay the start of the season.
The game at Rogers Centre will be played in Week 8 of the season, marking the earliest of any of the three previous games the Bills have played in Toronto. The early date is regarded as the team's latest bid to increase interest in the Bills across southern Ontario, which is part of the franchise's market.
Last year's game in Toronto had difficulty selling out after the Bills opened the season 0-7 and were all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention when they played Chicago on Nov. 7. The first two games of the series were both played in December and also had difficulty selling out.
The so-called Bills-In-Toronto series began in 2008, in which Buffalo became the NFL's first team to play annual regular season games outside of the United States. Toronto-based Rogers Communication is paying the Bills US$78 million to have them play eight games — including three pre-season — in a deal that runs through next year.
In light of the labour dispute, Toronto series organizers announced fans can reserve tickets for $25, and will receive a refund if the game is not played.
"We, like the fans, are closely monitoring the current situation," Rogers Centre executive Silvio D'Addario said. "We are hopeful for a quick resolution as we are thrilled with this year's matchup."
In other highlights of the Bills schedule, they'll play their home-opener in the second week against Oakland on Sept. 18. A week later, they'll host New England in their first game against an AFC East rival.
Of Buffalo's 16 games, 15 will be played on Sunday. The only exception is a home game against Denver on Saturday, Dec. 24. The Bills will close their season at New England on Jan. 1.
The Bills bye week off will come in Week 7. Five of their eight home games, will be played by Nov. 6, when the Buffalo hosts the New York Jets.
In having missed the playoffs for 11 straight years, the Bills have had difficulty attracting fans to Ralph Wilson Stadium once the weather turns cold.
