SHAWNEE, Kan. — It's been Super Bowl or bust for many Kansas City Chiefs fans ever since the preseason.
But before heading to Miami in February, some fans are packing their bags for Mexico City as the Chiefs prepare for the Los Angeles Chargers, a divisional rival, on Monday Night Football.
Charren and Alex Smith are making the trip to Mexico City for the second time. Last season, the NFL moved the Chiefs' showdown with the Los Angeles Rams from Mexico City to Los Angeles due to poor field conditions at Azteca Stadium.
“It was our first time to Mexico City," Charren Smith said. "We had already bought the tickets, booked a bunch of tours there, so we were like, well, we’re going to go anyways."
This time around, the field conditions at the stadium are better, and the game is expected to be played as scheduled.
“Our field staff has been in contact with the league, who’s been in contact with the representatives in Mexico City who have been taking care of the field," Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt said Wednesday. "It’s a completely different field and it’s in much better condition than it was last year."
From field conditions to safety concerns, Chiefs fans planning to head south should be good to go. Travel experts say fans should be aware of their surroundings and carry only the amount of money they need.
“Carry only what you need, leave everything back at the hotel where you’re staying in a safe," said JoAnne Weeks, a travel agent with Acendas Travel.
The Smiths said they are ready to catch their flight on Sunday and hopeful they can plan more international trips to watch the Chiefs play in the future.
“I think it’s fun just to go somewhere new and explore a new place," Smith said.
