NFL INCREASES
COMMITMENT TO UK MARKET
2017 LONDON SERIES EXPANDS
TO FOUR GAMES FOR FIRST TIME:
TEAMS & VENUES TO BE ANNOUNCED TUESDAY
In
recognition of a passionate and growing UK fan base, the NFL has increased its
commitment to the UK market by scheduling four games in London in 2017, the
league announced today.
The
playing of four games in the UK capital for the first time – half of a home
schedule of regular-season games – is a milestone moment in the continuing rise
in popularity of NFL football in the UK and beyond.
“We
continue to be incredibly excited by the passion and love for the NFL shown by
our millions of UK fans,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL.
“London is an amazing city. We have had tremendous support from our fans,
from Mayor Khan and other government leaders and business partners, and we are
looking forward to taking the next step in the UK by playing four games in
London next season.”
The
NFL has played three games in London to sellout crowds in each season since
2014. With four games in 2017, the
league will have played 21 games in the UK since the first regular-season game
in London in 2007. Teams and venues for
2017 will be announced at 1 pm UK time on Tuesday, December 13, via Facebook
Live at facebook.com/nfl, with season ticket renewals beginning at 10 am UK
time on Thursday, December 15 via Ticketmaster. Additional details can be found
at nfluk.com.
“London
staging a fourth NFL game is fantastic news – not only for the millions of sports
fans who get to enjoy our iconic stadiums – but also because it confirms our
status as the go-to choice for hosting the world’s biggest sporting events,”
said the Mayor of London, SADIQ KHAN.
“London is the international home of the NFL and staging the equivalent of what
would be half an American football team’s home games in the city is a huge step
towards my ambition of bringing a franchise to the capital.
“I am really excited to welcome more NFL teams to London next year, as well as
thousands of American football fans from around the globe, showing that London
is open to the very best sporting events and the world’s greatest athletes.”
Since
2007, the NFL has achieved accelerated growth in the UK. Sunday viewership of
NFL games has more than doubled and the Super Bowl audience has increased more
than 75 percent. This season, the NFL is on pace to reach a record number
of unique TV viewers in the UK. The league also has developed new and
stronger business partnerships and, according to internal research, has a UK
fan base of more than 13 million, including close to four million avid fans.
Participation
in amateur football in the UK has risen by approximately 15 percent per year
since 2007, with the latest figures from Sport England showing that 40,000
people age 14 or older play regularly. American football is now an officially
recognized sport in UK universities and schools.
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