The NFL London games first started in 2007, and it is fair to say that they have been a huge hit with the British fan base. But why are there NFL games in London? Who benefits from these matches, and what does the future look like for the NFL International Series?
We’re going to take a quick look at all of these questions in this blog, before then looking at how you can be there at the NFL games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium later this year.
Why do the NFL London games exist?
The National Football League had a problem in the early 21st century. They had run out of ways to grow the sport. At the time, interest was limited to just the US, and the market had become saturated. They couldn’t add more games to the schedule due to the recovery time needed for the players. What they needed was to expand their fan base.
There had been tentative attempts at playing games outside of the US, like the American Bowl which was a series of pre-season games played in Japan, Montreal, Berlin and at Wembley Stadium. The problem was that these matches didn’t matter, so there was little enthusiasm for them from the locals.
Everything changed, though, when in 2005 a regular season game was played in Mexico – the first time that international fans could watch a ‘proper’ competitive match. Over 100,000 spectators turned up to see the Arizona Cardinals play the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL International Series was born.
The first game in the UK was in 2007 when the Miami Dolphins took on the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium – with 40,000 tickets being sold in the first 90 minutes of the sale. Since 2011, at least one game has been held in London, with Twickenham and the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium being added as extra venues.
Who benefits from the NFL London games?
The idea is that everyone benefits from NFL games in London. Firstly, the sport gets more exposure and this will ultimately lead to more opportunities for merchandising and broadcast rights. This is an entirely new revenue stream for the sport and for the individual NFL teams.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have embraced this new relationship more than any other team – they have found in London a home-away-from-home. They regularly play games over here, and their schedule for the 2023 season includes two London games. Many British NFL fans have adopted the Jacksonville Jaguars as their team.
Finally, the main beneficiaries of the London games are the NFL fans in the UK. Fans from all over the UK flock to North London to get a taste of American Football, and it turns out – we love it. Even those that don’t attend the London games benefit – they are usually shown on free-to-air television, and coverage of the NFL has increased since the NFL London games began. Scott Hanson’s Redzone on a Sunday evening is essential viewing.
2023 NFL London games
There are three games scheduled to take place in London – two games at the Tottenham Stadium and one at Wembley:
Sunday October 1st: Atlanta Falcons vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Wembley Stadium
Sunday October 8th: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Sunday October 15th: Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
There are two games in Germany as well:
Sunday November 5th: Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs – Frankfurt Stadium
Sunday November 12th: Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots – Frankfurt Stadium
How to get tickets for the NFL London games
Demand for the London games is as high as it’s ever been – you will need to be quick off the draw to purchase some general admission tickets. Hospitality packages are a great way to see the match and experience some high-quality food and drink. These tickets are a lot more expensive but provide something a bit special.
There is another option though – as the Official Match Break supplier to the NFL, we can supply you with a ticket and accommodation package. Not only will this guarantee your seat at the game, but also a night in one of our hand-picked London hotels. We’ll take all of the stress out of your day, so you can just relax and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the NFL London Games.
If you are interested in one of our match break packages, call us now on 0333 2309115 or contact us.
