Colts Have Departed for London Game

The Indianapolis Colts have headed to Europe for the third time in four seasons as they prepare for a London matchup.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Football

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The Indianapolis Colts have departed for London following a travel schedule that aims to minimize physical strain. The team will arrive Friday morning for their upcoming contest, looking to build on a perfect 2-0 record in European games under coach Shane Steichen.

Why it matters

The organization prioritizes home-based practice sessions to maintain player rhythm and believes that Friday night walk-throughs prevent muscle injuries. This logistical approach is critical because the team does not have a bye week immediately following the overseas trip.

Coach Shane Steichen holds a 2-0 record in Europe, including a 10-6 win over the Patriots in 2023 and a 31-25 overtime victory against the Falcons in 2025. This trip marks the team's third visit to Europe within the last four seasons.

The players

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team that competes in the AFC South division of the NFL.

Shane Steichen

Shane Steichen is the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts who has achieved a perfect record in international games.

Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders are an NFL team that began their travel to the London game two days ahead of the Colts.

The details

The Colts utilize a red-eye flight schedule that departs Indianapolis on Thursday nights to maximize preparation time at their home facility. Upon arrival in London on Friday, the team holds a light walk-through practice to acclimate to the five-hour time difference.

The Colts beat the Patriots in Frankfurt in 2023.
The Colts defeated the Atlanta Falcons in overtime in 2025.
The team departed for London on Thursday night.
The team is scheduled to arrive in London on Friday morning.
The team will hold a walk-through practice on Friday night.

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Roadmap

NFL teams are increasingly adopting refined international travel protocols to mitigate the physiological impact of crossing time zones. This professionalization of logistics ensures that players maintain performance levels during global expansion efforts.

Because the team does not have a bye week after this game, players and fantasy managers must account for a condensed recovery period. The five-hour time difference relative to Eastern Time may also affect the team's practice intensity and player fatigue levels.

The takeaway

The team's reliance on home-facility preparation reflects a broader trend of data-driven recovery in professional sports. Managing travel fatigue remains a key factor for teams participating in the league's growing international schedule.