London Calling: Panthers Headed Across The Pond

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Photo credit © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers are headed to London for the first time in franchise history to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Week 6 of the NFL season. 

The two will play at the Tottenham Hotspur's newly-opened stadium on October 13 at 9:30 a.m. ET. 

"I’ve had the chance to play and coach in London before and those were unbelievable experiences," head coach Ron Rivera said.

SEE YOU IN LONDON!!!!#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/j3QRkX5Mwk

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 21, 2019

The team will become the 31st NFL team to play in London since international games began in 2007.

Rivera played in London with the Chicago Bears in the 1986 preseason and coached in London with the then-San Diego Chargers in the 2008 regular season.

"The fans are outstanding and they have such fervor for the game. It’s a great opportunity for our franchise and for our players and coaches to get international exposure," Rivera said.

The matchup between NFC South rival Tampa Bay will be an away game for the Panthers, meaning Carolina will still have all eight home games.

There are five scheduled games set to take place overseas next season, with four of the games in the United Kingdom. 

All five International Games on the 2019 schedule! --------@NFLUK @nflmx pic.twitter.com/wT61ywioRH

— NFL (@NFL) April 17, 2019

The Kansas City Chiefs and Chargers will play in Mexico. 

LONDON BOUND‼️ pic.twitter.com/fAA4FxfLBD

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 21, 2019

It'll be a homecoming for Panthers defensive end Efe Obada, who joined the team through the NFL's International Pathway Program in 2017. 

Obada would become the first player from the program to play in the city he grew up in if he makes the team's 53-man roster again. 

Born in Nigeria, Obada was open last season about how he and his sister were victims of human trafficking in London. 

"It’s amazing to hear the Panthers are going to play in London," Obada said. "One of the goals I set, beyond making the roster, was to play in London, be in front of the English fans and get a sack. It would be coming full-circle to be on that field. Now I have to make the team again. It’s added motivation."

Last year, the Panthers traveled the fewest total miles in franchise history in a season at approximately 4,060, while in 2019, they will travel the most miles in franchise history in a season at approximately 11,022.

Ticket information for the game, which is a Buccaneers' home game, will come at a later date.