Why Do NFL Teams Play in London?

Why do NFL teams play in London? The answer may surprise you. NFL teams have been playing regular season games in London since 2007, and the popularity of the sport is only growing. But why? Keep reading to find out.

Introduction

Since the NFL International Series began in 2007, the league has seen a growing interest in playing games in London. Currently, there are four games played in London each year, with two played at Wembley Stadium and two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This increase in games is due to a number of factors, including the growing popularity of the sport in the UK, the larger capacity of Wembley Stadium, and the NFL’s desire to grow its global reach.

The popularity of American football in the UK has been growing steadily since the early 2000s. This is largely due to the increased coverage of the sport on TV and online, as well as the success of the International Series. The four games played in London each year are now some of the most popular events on the NFL calendar, with tickets selling out quickly.

Wembley Stadium, which is located in London’s West End, is one of the largest sporting venues in Europe with a capacity of 90,000. This makes it an ideal venue for NFL games, which typically attract large crowds. The stadium has also hosted a number of other major sporting events, including the FA Cup Final, Champions League Final, and Rugby World Cup Final.

The NFL has been looking to expand its global reach in recent years and London has proved to be an important market. The league hopes that by playing games in London on a regular basis, it will be able to tap into a new fan base and grow its popularity even further.

The History of NFL in London

The first NFL game was played in London in 1983, when the San Francisco 49ers took on the Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium. The game was a sell-out and the response from fans was electric. The following year, three more games were played in London and the NFL International Series was born.

Since then, the NFL International Series has gone from strength to strength. In 2007, games were played at both Wembley Stadium and Twickenham Stadium for the first time; and, in 2013, NFL returned to Wembley for two games for the first time since 2005.

The NFL International Series has become so popular that it now includes four games per year, with two games played at Wembley Stadium and two at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium.

With over 200 million fans worldwide, NFL is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. And, with international audiences continuing to grow, there’s no doubt that the NFL International Series will continue to go from strength to strength.

The Benefits of Playing in London

The NFL has been playing games in London since 2007, and the popularity of the sport has only grown in the UK since then. Playing games in London provides a number of benefits for NFL teams. First, it exposes the sport to a new audience and allows the teams to tap into a new market. Second, it provides a neutral site for games, which can be beneficial for teams that are evenly matched. And finally, playing in London gives teams the opportunity to bond and build team chemistry.

Increased Revenue

The NFL has seen a significant increase in revenue since they started playing games in London. In fact, they have even considered making London a permanent location for an NFL team. The main reason for this increase in revenue is due to the massive number of fans that attend the games.

Another reason that the NFL has seen increased revenue from playing in London is due to the fact that they are able to sell more merchandise. This is because there are many more fans that are interested in buying NFL merchandise when they are able to see their favorite teams play live.

Overall, the NFL has seen a great deal of success from playing games in London and it is unlikely that they will stop anytime soon.

Improved International Exposure

The National Football League (NFL) has been playing regular season games in London since 2007. The games are usually held at Wembley Stadium, though other venues have been used as well. Playing in London provides several benefits for NFL teams, including improved international exposure and the opportunity to grow the game’s fanbase.

Exposure to a new market can be extremely beneficial for a business, and the NFL is no different. By playing games in London, the league is able to expose its product to a new audience and potentially convert them into fans. This increased exposure also leads to benefits such as increased merchandise sales and higher television ratings. In addition, playing in London gives NFL teams the opportunity to showcase their brand on a global stage and generate positive publicity.

The NFL is not the only American sports league to play games in London, but it is the only one to do so on a regular basis. Other leagues, such as Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), have played exhibition games in London, but these are typically one-off events rather than part of a structured schedule. Playing regular season games in London allows the NFL to tap into a fanbase that is already established and passionate about sport.

Improved Brand Recognition

The first and most significant benefit that comes to mind is the improved brand recognition. For a team like the Jaguars, playing in London has increased their international footprint and put them on the radar of many potential fans who might not have otherwise heard of them. In an increasingly globalized world, this is an invaluable opportunity to expand one’s customer base and tap into new markets.

In addition to improved brand recognition, playing in London also provides teams with a unique opportunity to connect with their fans on a more personal level. Unlike here in the States, where games are often played in front of empty seats, there is a much greater sense of community and connection between teams and their fans in London. This is due in part to the fact that tickets to NFL games are much more expensive in London than they are stateside, so only diehard fans are able to attend. This creates a more intimate atmosphere in the stadium and allows for a deeper level of connection between team and fan.

The Challenges of Playing in London

The NFL has been playing games in London since 2007, and they have become increasingly popular over the years. However, there are a few challenges that come along with playing in London. The first is the travel. It can be difficult for players to adjust to the time difference and the long flight. Then there is the playing surface. The turf at Wembley Stadium is very hard, and it can be tough on the players’ bodies. Finally, there is the crowd. The fans in London are very passionate, and they can be quite rowdy.

Time Change

The biggest challenge for any team playing in London is the time change. The game kicks off at 9:30 AM local time, which is 1:30 AM on the East Coast of the United States. That’s a six-hour time difference, and it can be tough for players to adjust.

The good news is that there are ways to minimize the impact of the time change. The NFL schedule makers try to do their part by giving teams an extra week to prepare if they’re playing in London. And most teams will take advantage of that by holding practice in London a few days before the game.

Players also tend to focus on getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated in the days leading up to the game. Some even take supplements like melatonin to help them sleep.

Of course, no matter how well you prepare, there’s always going to be some jet lag involved. But most players say it’s worth it for the chance to play in front of such passionate fans.

Travel

One of the biggest challenges facing NFL teams when they play in London is the travel. Because of the time difference between London and the United States, teams have to travel there several days ahead of the game to allow their bodies to adjust to the new time zone. This can be a big challenge, especially for teams that are used to playing early games on Sundays.

Another challenge is the playing surface. The field at Wembley Stadium, where most London games are played, is made of natural grass, while most NFL stadiums have artificial turf. This can be a big adjustment for players, who are used to playing on turf that is much easier on their bodies.

Finally, there is the issue of crowd noise. The crowds at London games are notoriously loud and enthusiastic, and they can be a big factor in the outcome of the game. This can be a challenge for teams that are not used to playing in front of such loud crowds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the NFL wants to grow its brand globally, and playing games in London is one way to do that. The league also believes that having a team in London would boost its chances of getting a franchise in Europe. Even though some players and fans are against it, the NFL is likely to continue playing games in London for the foreseeable future.