DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum London will host an NFL game in 2007

link The NFL will stage the first in its new series of international regular season games in the UK’s capital city in the fall of 2007. NFL owners voted in October to play up to two games outside the United States every year for the next five years, with the series kicking off with a single game in 2007.

“There is great interest in the NFL around the world,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Playing a limited number of regular-season games outside the United States is the next step for us in serving that interest. This is what our international fans, media partners, and sponsors want. There is no better place to begin this initiative than London. It is one of the great cities of the world with an established and growing fan base for our game. We are thrilled to bring the excitement of the NFL regular season to the United Kingdom.”

London’s effort to secure the game has been backed by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who visited Commissioner Goodell in New York to state the city’s case for staging an NFL game. He said: “London is proud to host the first ever competitive NFL game held outside the American continent. There are many NFL fans in London – both American and non-American – and this will be a spectacular sporting occasion.

“After its success in winning the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games we want to bring to Londoners the greatest of non-Olympic sports. Bringing the NFL to London, after also winning the right to stage the start of the Tour de France this year, is a great step forward in this.

“The Super Bowl is followed by almost five million people in the UK. Hosting an NFL game in London will bring more than 10,000 international visitors to the city. London will be working with the NFL to build on this success to ensure that Londoners, NFL fans, international visitors, and the tens of millions who will watch the game on television have a great day of sport and a thrilling experience of London."

The NFL recently concluded its 2006 regular season, with average attendance reaching a record 67,738 and more than 97 per cent of games sold out. The current playoffs will conclude on February 4 with Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Florida, where more details about the London game are expected to be confirmed – including the participating teams – at the Commissioner’s traditional press conference on Friday, February 2.

Alistair Kirkwood, Managing Director of NFL UK, explained: “This is tremendously exciting news for the sport of American football in this country. It is a chance for our fans to see, in their backyard, for the first time a game that counts in the race to the Super Bowl, and an opportunity to show the excitement and passion of the NFL to a whole new audience.

“We aim to create an event that will capture the imagination of the sporting public, establish the NFL more firmly in the structure of UK sport and accelerate the growth of our game and fan base. Our goal is to create a smooth and enjoyable experience for the participating teams and deliver a memorable event that will persuade the NFL that this is the first of many regular-season games played here.

“For London to be awarded this game is a great achievement for everyone connected with the sport here – fans, viewers, those involved in the grassroots of the game and, most especially, all of those people, such as the Mayor and Visit London, who have supported the efforts to bring the NFL to the UK.”

London was selected based upon several factors, including general fan interest, current NFL visibility through existing media agreements, the range and quality of large, world-class stadia, including Wembley and Twickenham, the size and value of the overall sports and entertainment market and the potential to build year-round marketing, sponsorship and fan engagement.

Upon approval of the resolution to stage international regular-season games, the league identified four priority markets where the initiative was feasible from a logistical and broadcast perspective – the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Mexico, eliminating China and Japan. Toronto, Canada will host the Canadian Football League’s championship game in 2007, the Grey Cup, so the NFL eliminated it from consideration.

The NFL received interest from various venues in Germany in hosting an NFL regular-season game and having now selected London as the host city for 2007, the league will now focus on detailed stadium proposals in order to select the venue during Super Bowl week in South Florida next month.

The NFL staged its first regular-season game outside the United States in 2005 when 103,467 people saw the Arizona Cardinals play the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City – the largest crowd for a regular-season game in NFL history.

Sounds like a road trip to me.

I wouldn't mind seeing how the Europeans would respond to American Football. When I lived in Germany they were just getting the NFLE started as I was getting ready to rotate stateside. This is going to be interesting to see how well they plan this.

I wouldn't want to do that. Going overseas to play a football game is going to mess up everyone's schedule for sleeping and etc. It will not be a well played game because of that. Also tv ratings may be down due to the time the game will be played in our country.

From what I gathered while I was in Frankfurt, NFLE isn't very popular over there... They love their soccer!

I know, soccer is THE sport over there, but all the Americans stationed in Germany probably love having a chance to see some of their favorite players on the gridiron.

But sniff, those players aren't in the NFLEurope I do, however, think a game in London will be very successful. I just hope they don't put the Browns in it!

I think it sucks.

WHy?

A game should be played at one of the team's home stadium. Period.

I hope we don't go anytime soon.

So? It's a regular season game. Somebody gets screwed out of a home game and nobody else does.

Gotcha....you know, p erhaps I should have read the whole story and not just the headlines and the responses so far. I was in the middle of a phone call when I read that. D'uh!

You ain't no good woman!

DC would disagree with that.

Hey, leave her alone...

I don't like the idea for all of the reasons already mentioned.. one team loses a home game, television times, travel times, etc..

I have no problem with a preseason game or two... but since the Europeans aren't really going to care, what difference does it make if it's a preseason or a regular season game?

Perhaps Randy can convince them to play a regular season game between Aston Villa and Manchester United in New York, I'm sure that would sit well with the Brits.

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Perhaps Randy can convince them to play a regular season game between Aston Villa and Manchester United in New York, I'm sure that would sit well with the Brits.

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That would absolutely rock. I'd even make an attempt to get to NY for that one!

I'm sure a lot of Brits would love to kick Man U out of the country for a week. It would kind of like be shipping the Yankees overseas for a couple of games.

The NFL should never leave the boundries of the United States for a regular season football game................no way!

The NFL is pretty organised and we are all happy!

The game is too structured for NFL cities on every sunday during the regular season...........many fans love to visit the opposing teams town to check out the game which is quit affordable and can gather with friends that are sometimes the opponents fans!

It often gives us an excuse to visit a cool city here in the USA without too much expense!

It is just too far out of the way..........the time differene between here and London is four hours...............well seven hours if you are in L.A.!

Imagine flying to London to watch the Browns play...........and after spending six hours on a freaking plane and the night in a bed and breakfast there..................you get up to go to the game and order a hot dog inside a Soccer stadium...............and their response is well we only have hamburger pie or a cheese and tomato sandwich!

I have spent a lot of time in London............and it is a very cool place to visit..........but not for a footbal game.................London is all about Soocer and tourism!

JMHO!

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well we only have hamburger pie

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First off, what the hell's a hamburger pie?

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The NFL should never leave the boundries of the United States for a regular season football game................no way!

The NFL is pretty organised and we are all happy!

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Well that's money for 'ya!! Reading between the lines matey, there's a massive untapped market outside the boundaries of the US, the NFL sees it and obviously wants a piece of that hamburger pie!

To hell with the fans, make do with the other 7 home games. Actually, whwn you think about it, they'll probably set up a rotation system which would mean you wouldn't miss that often. For the 2 teams involved, one will be a road game and they'll still play 8 at home that year. Realistically you might miss one home game every several years or so.

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many fans love to visit the opposing teams town to check out the game which is quit affordable and can gather with friends that are sometimes the opponents fans!

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Well, when the Browns come to Melbourne to play in front of 100,000 at the MCG i'll put you up in the spare room.

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London is all about Soocer and tourism!

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Then join Kingo and catch the Arsenal game the same weekend.

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To hell with the fans,

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You workin' for the NFL head office? Because that seems to be their Mission Statement...

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What about all the fans? Maybe the NFL should think about that... they are weasels...

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They are just like any other business, hotels, credit cards, phone and cable companies... keep jacking up the prices and lessening service for existing customers while giving great promotions and sweet deals to attract new customers.....

didnt the Browns play in England vs Philly back in the late 80"s? I remember a game there, maybe it was preseason.

I clearly remember back in '88 or '89, the Browns played the Jets in a pre-season game at Montreal's Olympic Stadium. Maybe that's what you're thinking of.