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Will London ever have an NFL Franchise?
NFL is back in London with three matches this season, but will there ever be a permanent franchise in the UK?
Ever since London hosted it’s first regular season game back in October 2007, British fans have always been teased with the possibility of a permanent NFL franchise in the country.
The Jacksonville Jaguars under the ownership of Shahid Khan, who also owns Premier League team Fulham FC, have become the adopted team for NFL fans. The Florida organisation are crossing the pond a record 9th time in 2022 and Khan has been the dominant voice in exploring the requirements to secure a spot in the NFL as the fan base in London increases for the Jags. His bid to buy Wembley in 2018 was ultimately unsuccessful, but his intentions were clear. Khan saw the business potential to bring NFL to London permanently.
Covid-19 somewhat halted the growth of NFL in the UK with 2020 matches cancelled and the thought process behind international development seems to have shifted.
The Packers complete the set for London
2022 sees the final franchise of 32 in total to play in London. The widely supported Green Bay Packers will make their London debut at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against the New York Giants in-line with the NFL’s announcement to ensure every team must play in an international match every 8 years.
Aside from the three matches in London, the NFL have strongly hinted at their future direction of growth, with matches in Munich and Mexico making up the 5 games in the 2022 International Series.
NFL are now actively looking to explore matches in varying locations, seriously hindering the logic behind a permanent team back in London.
As it stands, the appetite appears to not be there for an NFL franchise to be in London, but with tickets selling out as quick as ever for the three London matches, there’s no doubting the demand and the fanbase over in the UK.
2022 NFL International Series Fixtures
- Sunday 02 October | Minnesota Vikings v New Orleans Saints | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Sunday 09 October | New York Giants v Green Bay Packers | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Sunday 30 October | Denver Broncos v Jacksonville Jaguars | Wembley Stadium
- Sunday 13 November | Seattle Seahawks v Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Allianz Arena, Munich
- Monday 21 November | San Francisco 49ers v Arizona Cardinals | Estadio Azteca, Mexico
NFL Hospitality at Wembley
Wembley Stadium, a venue steeped in history, is the iconic home of English Football. The site where England clinched the 1966 World Cup, their one and only football major honour.
The construction on the new stadium began in 2002 costing in the region of £1 billion. A truly state of the art development the new Wembley is the largest venue in the UK with a capacity of 90,000. It offers an attendee everything from coffee shops to fine dining establishments.
The home of football doesn’t just host the English version of the game, it hosts American Football as well!
The ICON facility is the perfect way to watch the NFL, with stunning views and easy access to your seats, bar and food.
This is in our famous pitchview restaurant with a glass fronted suite so you don’t miss any of the action.
Enjoy the facility three hours before the match starts, soaking up the pre-match atmosphere in a relaxed, informal environment. Perfect for hosting clients or treating friends and family.
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