Why Is the NFL Playing in London?
Contents
A lot of people are wondering why the NFL would want to play a game in London. After all, the fans there don’t really understand the game and the British climate is not conducive to playing football. However, there are some very good reasons for the NFL to play in London.
Introduction
The National Football League has been playing regular season games in London since 2007. In an effort to grow the game of American football globally, the NFL has committed to playing at least two games in London each year through 2016.
So why is the NFL playing in London? The simple answer is that the NFL believes there is a significant opportunity to grow the game of American football in Europe and beyond. By playing games in London, the NFL is able to reach a new and untapped audience of potential fans.
There are also significant financial incentives for the NFL to play in London. According to a report by Bloomberg, the NFL stands to make as much as $120 million in additional revenue by playing two games in London each year. This is largely due to the fact that tickets for these games are sold at a premium price due to high demand.
In addition, the NFL is able to generate additional revenue through increased merchandise sales and broadcasting rights fees. While it remains to be seen if the NFL’s gamble on London will pay off in the long run, there is no doubt that there are significant benefits for the league in playing games overseas.
History of the NFL in London
The NFL first began playing regular season games in London in 2007, with one game at Wembley Stadium. In 2013, the league increased its presence in the UK capital by adding a second game, played at Tottenham Hotspur’s new White Hart Lane stadium.
The notion of American football coming to London is not a new one. The first game was played at Wembley Stadium in 1983 between the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys, in front of an audience of over 100,000 people. It was clear that there was a significant interest in the sport, but it would be another 24 years before the NFL would return to London on a regular basis.
In October 2007, the Miami Dolphins took on the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of 83,226 fans – an NFL regular season record for tickets sold outside of the United States. The following year saw over 6 million TV viewers tuning in from the UK to watch live NFL games – more than double the number from the previous year.
In 2013, two games were played as part of the International Series – one at Wembley Stadium and one at Tottenham Hotspur’s new White Hart Lane stadium. That year saw a significant increase in interest and engagement with American football in London, with sell-out crowds, new broadcast viewership records and extensive media coverage.
Reasons for the NFL’s Popularity in London
The NFL has been playing games in London since 2007, and the popularity of the sport has only grown in the years since. There are a number of reasons for the NFL’s popularity in London, from the excitement of the games themselves to the growing interest in American culture.
One of the biggest reasons for the NFL’s popularity in London is simply the excitement of the games. NFL games are known for their high level of play, and Londoners have fallen in love with watching some of the best athletes in the world compete. The atmosphere at an NFL game is also electric, and Londoners have been known to dress up in team jerseys and paint their faces to show their support.
Another reason for the NFL’s popularity in London is that American culture is becoming more and more popular in Britain. More and more young people are interested in football, thanks to movies like “The Blind Side” and “Remember The Titans.” And as American culture continues to grow in popularity, it’s likely that interest in the NFL will continue to grow as well.
So why is the NFL so popular in London? There are a number of reasons, from the excitement of the games themselves to the growing interest in American culture. With each passing year, it seems likely that even more Londoners will be tuning into NFL games.
The Business of the NFL in London
The National Football League has been playing regular season games in London since 2007, and the games have been a resounding success. Not only are they a sell-out success, but they also generate a great deal of income for the league. In fact, the NFL is now the most watched sport in the UK.
So, why is the NFL playing in London? There are several reasons. First, it’s a great way to grow the game of football internationally. Second, it’s a great way to generate revenue. And third, it’s a great way to broaden the NFL’s appeal to a wider audience.
The NFL first started playing regular season games in London in 2007, and the games have been a huge success. Not only are they a sell-out success, but they also generate a great deal of income for the league. In fact, the NFL is now the most watched sport in the UK.
So, why is the NFL playing in London? There are several reasons. First, it’s a great way to grow the game of football internationally. Second, it’s a great way to generate revenue. And third, it’s a great way to broaden the NFL’s appeal to a wider audience.
The NFL first started playing regular season games in London in 2007 as part of its International Series. The games have been an overwhelming success, selling out every year and generating millions of pounds in revenue for the league. In fact, such is their popularity that the NFL is now the most watched sport in Britain.
But why exactly is the NFLplaying in London? There are three primary reasons: to grow American football internationally; to generate revenue; and to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional base in North America.
Grow American Football Internationally: The sport of American football has seen its popularity grow enormously globally over recent years thanks largely due to increased coverage on television and other media platforms. Countries such as Brazil, China and Mexico now all have professional leagues and teams participating in them and there are an ever-increasing number of fans following these leagues too
The Future of the NFL in London
The National Football League has been playing regular season games in London since 2007, and the interest in American football in the UK has grown steadily in that time. In fact, the NFL now claims that there are more than 13 million American football fans in the UK. With such a large potential market, it’s no surprise that the NFL is looking to increase its presence in London.
One way the NFL is doing this is by increasing the number of games played in London each year. In 2019, there will be four games played in London, the most ever. And next year, it is expected that there will be six games played in London. The NFL is also looking into the possibility of having a team based in London full-time. This would require building a new stadium, as no current stadiums in London are suitable for American football.
The NFL is clearly committed to growing its brand in London, and it seems likely that we will see even more American football being played in the UK in the years to come.