NFL London: The NFL's International Series

The game, which is part of the NFL’s International Series, is designed to increase the sports profile and allow fans outside the U.S. to experience competitive football action.

In 2007, London’s Wembley Staduium was host to the first regular season NFL game played outside of North America. This historic match between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants was part of the NFL’s drive to increase its popularity outside of the United States.

The NFL International Series

Since 2005, to help promote the NFL brand internationally, regular season games have been hosted outside of the U.S. The first of these games, branded as Futbol Americano, took place at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. A NFL regular-season game record, 103,467 spectatorsturned up to watch the Arizona Cardinals defeat the San Francisco 49ers—31 to 14. This success, and the obvious demand for live competitive football action outside of the U.S., led to plans to take the NFL across the Atlantic to England.

History of NFL in the U.K.

Before 2005 the only NFL that was played outside of the U.S. was a series of pre-season exhibition games called the American Bowls. These friendly face-offs were popular in the 1980’s and 90’s; however, the last American Bowl game played in England took place in 1993.

Although soccer is the national sport in the U.K., since the turn of the millennium the NFL has grown in popularity due to the Internet and increased television coverage. In 2007, partly as a response to this increase in demand, London hosted the first competitive NFL game played outside North America. Over 80,000 fans from all across Europe had to fight to get their tickets to watch this historic match. The enthusiasm shown for live NFL action led to the decision to extend the NFL London series until 2010.

Previous Results at NFL London

NFL London 2009

On October 25th, 2009, Wembley Stadium will host the NFL London 2009. The game will feature two of the best-known and most successful franchises of recent years, the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams have won the Super Bowl since the turn of the millennium and New England are enjoying a promising start to the 2009 season. Convincing two teams of such a high calibre to play at Wembley was seen as an incredible accomplishment and is an acknowledgement of the success of NFL London.

The Future of the NFL International Series

The overwhelming success of the games in Mexico City and London, and the international exposure that has come with them, means that these international games are guaranteed to continue. Allowing people to experience live competitive football will only broaden and strengthen NFL’s international fan base and thus insure its economic competitiveness. Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner sees the International Series as a vital part of spreading the NFL brand. He has not only discussed plans to extend the International Series but also to host a Super Bowl in London.

The future of NFL London and the International Series is secure. Fans outside the U.S. can continue to look forward to the prospect of live, competitive NFL action.

The copyright of the article NFL London in National Football League (NFL) is owned by Tom Ravenscroft. Permission to republish NFL London in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Oct 26, 2009 2:14 PM

James Kinkade :

It isn't a fair game. The team that is designated "Home" in these international games are not playing at home and have no advantage. At the end of the year, they actually only have 7 home games and 9 away.

Oct 27, 2009 7:12 AM

Tom Ravenscroft :

Thanks for your comment James.

Although it isn't a real home game, the NFL do as much as they can to help create an atmosphere for the designated home team. The stadium announcers, big screens and cheerleaders combined with the provision of "home team" flags to every spectator, helps create support for the "home team". This worked especially well at NFL London 2009, as the stadium is red, the same color as the designated home team, the Buccaneers.

However, the "home team" is clearly missing out on one of their alloted home games, as you mention. The NFL is in London to promote itself, and this is likely to be the teams' motivation in playing abroad as well. The real losers are the home team season ticket holders and supporters, who only get seven live home games instead of eight.