We all know by now that the Oakland Raiders will be the Las Vegas Raiders starting in 2020. However, where will they play in 2019? Their lease is up with the City of Oakland after the 2018-19 season. Knowing the relationship that the team has with the City of Oakland and Alameda County, it is hard to imagine a one-year lease. What does that mean for the Oakland Raiders? Here is a look at five possible places that the Raiders could play in 2019.
Sam Boyd Stadium – Las Vegas, NV (Capacity 35,500 expandable to 40,000)
The Oakland Raiders can make their transition to Las Vegas a year early and play in Sam Boyd Stadium on the campus of UNLV. Despite reports that this is not an option. The facility is certainly big enough to host a NFL franchise for a season. Especially given that, the Los Angeles Chargers play in a smaller stadium, the StubHub Center. The capacity there is only 27,000. In addition, Sam Boyd has hosted professional football before between the CFL, XFL, and UFL.
Levi Stadium – Santa Clara, CA (Capacity 68,500 expandable to 75,000)
Levi Stadium is also the home of the San Francisco 49ers. Therefore, the NFL would have to do some work with the 2019 schedule to make the stadium available for both teams. The league has plenty of experience in doing this with the New York Jets and New York Giants.
Alamodome – San Antonio, TX (Capacity 64,000)
It was once a rumor that the Oakland Raiders could head to San Antonio if the NFL would not let them play in Las Vegas. That quickly fell through when Mark Davis got his wish of building a multi-use stadium in Sin City. Nonetheless, the Silver and Black could find themselves in a one-year rental with the City of San Antonio.
The Alamodome has hosted professional football in the past. It hosted the CFL in 1995, the New Orleans Saints in 2005, AFL from 2012-2014, and will be the home of the San Antonio Commanders of AAF in 2019.
SDCCU Stadium – San Diego, CA (Capacity 70,561)
The former home of the San Diego Chargers, this stadium is certainly capable of a one-year tenant. This would give the City of San Diego one more look at a NFL franchise.
California Memorial Stadium – Berkley, CA (Capacity 63,000)
This stadium has actually hosted the Oakland Raiders in the past. Back in 1973, the Raiders played the Miami Dolphins at Memorial Stadium. This could be an ideal placement given the size and location of the said venue.
The Oakland Raiders will not be homeless in 2019. Where they will play remains a question. We should hear something before the end of the 2018 NFL Season.
Which of these is the best option for the Oakland Raiders? Leave a comment below.
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