OSAKA -- The five-time Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers will take on the Washington Redskins on Aug. 4 at the Osaka Dome in NFL Osaka 2002, the National Football League announced Thursday.
It will be the first time for the city of Osaka to host the American Bowl, the NFL's overseas preseason series.
This will be the 11th American Bowl held in Japan, with the previous 10 games all having been played in Tokyo. The NFL moved this game partly because football is very popular in the Osaka area.
The 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia and Redskins offensive tackle Chris Samuels are visiting Osaka to promote the game. The two players were scheduled to attend the Kintetsu Buffaloes-Yomiuri Giants preseason game Saturday at the Osaka Dome, where Garcia was to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The 49ers went 12-4 last season and made the playoffs for the first time in four years. Their offense ranked second only to the St. Louis Rams in the NFC, and features the passing attack of Garcia and wide receiver Terrell Owens.
Longtime University of Florida coach Steve Spurrier takes over the Redskins from the fired Marty Schottenheimer and is to make his NFL coaching debut in the Osaka game.
Tickets will go on sale on March 31. Prices are 6,500 yen to 13,000 yen. Luxury box seats, limited to 130 and sold only on the official game Web site nfl.osaka2002.jp/ cost 100,000 yen but will include actual jerseys the players wear during the game.