Broncos are London-bound in 2010

The Denver Broncos‘ first scheduled game of the 2010 regular season has been announced, with the Mile High football club set to enter foreign territory.  Literally.

The NFL announced today that the Broncos will play the San Francisco 49ers in London, England on October 31 (Halloween) as part of the league’s International Series.  Kickoff will be set for 11 a.m. MST (5 p.m. local time).

“It’s a wonderful, historic opportunity for our franchise and will be an unforgettable experience for our players, coaches and fans,” Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said.  “I’m excited for the game in London and am thrilled that the Broncos will be part of the NFL’s continued international growth.”

The game counts as a home game for the Niners, meaning the Broncos will still host eight games at Invesco Field at Mile High.  It also effectively neutralizes what would have been an away game for the Broncos, since San Francisco loses its home-field advantage.

Tell us what you think, fans — do you like the Broncos heading to the UK?  Dish it out in the comments.  Press release after the jump.

BRONCOS TO FACE 49ERS IN LONDON ON OCT. 31
AS PART OF NFL’S INTERNATIONAL SERIES

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos will play a regular-season game outside of the United States for the first time in franchise history on Sunday, Oct. 31, when they face the San Francisco 49ers in London, the National Football League announced today.

The game, which is part of the NFL’s International Series, will be played at Wembley Stadium at 11 a.m. MST (5 p.m. UK). CBS will provide live television coverage of the game in the United States.

“The Denver Broncos are honored to play in London against the 49ers as part of the NFL’s International Series,” Broncos President and CEO Pat Bowlen said. “Our organization has been fortunate to play in several American Bowls in previous years, including one in London, but to play a regular-season game overseas is truly special.

“It’s a wonderful, historic opportunity for our franchise and will be an unforgettable experience for our players, coaches and fans. I’m excited for the game in London and am thrilled that the Broncos will be part of the NFL’s continued international growth.”

Denver’s game against the 49ers marks the fourth time the NFL has hosted a regular-season game in the United Kingdom with the previous three contests played before sellout crowds. The league has held one regular-season game in London each year beginning in 2007.

Including regular-season games played in London (3), Toronto (2) and Mexico City (1), the Broncos-49ers contest represents the seventh international regular-season game in NFL history.

“Playing in London in front of so many passionate and new football fans is a privilege and will be a great experience for our team,” Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. “I’m excited for the opportunity, and I am certain that our players and coaches will share my enthusiasm.

“The previous games in London have had a playoff-like atmosphere to them, so that’s always a good thing to play in that type of an environment. We’ll be ready for the challenge.”

Denver has played an international game seven times in club history with its participation in the American Bowl during the preseason. The club has played once in London, losing to the Los Angeles Rams by a 28-27 margin on Aug. 9, 1987, at Wembley Stadium in a game that marked its first-ever international game.

The Broncos also have played in Sydney, Australia (1999), Mexico City, Mexico (1997), Tokyo, Japan (1995, ‘90), Barcelona, Spain (1994) and Berlin, Germany (1992) as part of the American Bowl in the preseason.

Denver’s game against the 49ers was set to be an away game, so the club will continue to host eight regular-season games at INVESCO Field at Mile High during the 2010 season.

BRONCOS INTERNATIONAL GAMES, FRANCHISE HISTORY

Date                           Site                                       Opponent                 Result                   Attendance

Aug. 9, 1987              London, England                  L.A. Rams                   L, 28-27                         72,786

Aug. 5, 1990              Tokyo, Japan                        Seattle                        W, 10-7                          48,827

Aug. 15, 1992            Berlin, Germany                    Miami                          L, 31-27                         60,813

July 31, 1994             Barcelona, Spain                   L.A. Raiders               L, 25-22                         37,406

Aug. 6, 1995              Tokyo, Japan                        San Francisco            W, 24-10                        48,526

Aug. 4, 1997              Mexico City, Mexico              Miami                          L, 38-19                       104,629

Aug. 8, 1999              Sydney, Australia                  San Diego                  W, 20-17                        73,811