The NFL London games have been a huge success. Last year over 200,000 fans packed into Wembley Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium across three matches. It’s fair to say that the NFL is now a firm part of the British sporting calendar, with more TV coverage playing a huge part in that.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the NFL in this country. 20 years or so ago the prospect of the NFL London games would have been unheard of – there simply wasn’t the demand for it. So how have these matches become so popular that they sell out within minutes of going on sale?
In this article, we are going to be taking a quick look at the history of the NFL London games, before explaining what you could expect to experience at a game, as well as the various tickets and hospitality packages that are available.
A Brief History of the NFL London Games
The year is 2005, and the NFL has a problem. The sport has pretty much saturated its popularity in the USA, and due to the nature of the sport and the recovery needed after a game, extending the season wasn’t an option. In order to generate more money for the game, they needed more fans. They needed to take American Football out of America.
There had been tentative attempts to stoke up international interest in the NFL in the past. Matches called American Bowls, which were basically preseason friendly matches between 1986-2005, had been played abroad but they had limited success. So the NFL tried something new, with a regular season match – the first international game played was at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. Over 100,000 fans turned up – the outside world had its first proper taste of NFL action, and it liked it.
Thus, the NFL International Series was born. In 2007, the first international game was played at Wembley Stadium, where the New York Giants beat the Miami Dolphins – with the first 40,000 tickets selling within 90 minutes of going on sale. One game a year was played at Wembley Stadium until 2012, when an extra game was added – the first time Jacksonville Jaguars played in the UK. They are owned by Shahid Khan, the same man who owns Fulham FC, and so have a close connection to London. The Jags have played over here every year since (except the pandemic-hit 2020 season), and will continue to for the foreseeable future. There is even talk of them playing more games in London while their home ground is renovated, but nothing is confirmed yet.
In 2016, Twickenham Stadium hosted a match, and in 2019, the brand new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium joined the roster of UK venues. Three games a year were now scheduled for the UK. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had agreed a deal to host at least two games a year for 10 years – this was no flash in the pan.
Meanwhile, Mexico has hosted five games between 2016 – 2022, all in the Estadio Azteca, and all attracting over 75,000 NFL fans. Brazil hosted the Philadelphia Eagles vs Green Bay Packers in 2024, and Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs in 2025 – both the opening fixtures of the season.
Now more European nations are getting in on the act as well – Germany have hosted 4 matches since 2022, and the Atlanta Falcons will play the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin this November. Madrid will host the Miami Dolphins vs Washington Commanders in November as their first NFL game, while Dublin will also host their first this year, when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Minnesota Vikings.
In 2026, a game is scheduled to be played in Melbourne, at the MCG, for the first time.
The NFL International Series has been a huge hit for the game. In a further effort to expand the sport’s popularity, each team has been designated a country in which they market themselves. The NFL will continue to grow all over the world and who knows how big they can get.
Who will be playing in the NFL London games in 2025?
Here are the fixtures for the NFL in London for the 2025 season:
October 5 – Minnesota Vikings vs Cleveland Browns – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
October 12 – Denver Broncos vs New York Jets – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
October 19 – Los Angeles Rams vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Wembley Stadium
What’s it like at the NFL London Games?
The excitement around the NFL London Games often begins days before kick-off, with a full schedule of fan events taking place across London in the lead-up to each match.
In 2025, the focus is on fan festivals and activity zones near game venues. According to the NFL’s official site, “fan festivals, interactive events, and appearances leading up to the games” are standard practice, with specifics announced closer to the match days. In previous years they have had a Super Bowl exhibition, and various events where fans can meet players.
On game day, though, things step up a notch. American Football is about much more than the match itself – it is a spectacle for the whole day. Let’s start with the tailgate party.
In America, this is where the fans turn up into the car parks of the stadiums, open up their boots and eat and drink with other fans. There are BBQs, kegs, picnics – it’s just one big party. Of course, their stadiums tend to be out of town, with plenty of space. In this country, you rarely get a stadium with ample parking. But that doesn’t mean we can’t tailgate…
The NFL London version of tailgating is basically to have a load of food and drinks stalls set up outside the ground, loads of activities, some live music, some special guests and a fantastic carnival atmosphere. Wembley has the Boxpark to add extra space, but the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium gets around their lack of room by closing down the roads nearby.
Expect interactive displays, team mascots, cheerleader appearances, memorabilia, and themed food and drink stands – all contributing to the pre-match atmosphere, and giving fans of all ages a chance to really get involved. Before you’re even in the stadium, it’s a great day out.
When you finally make your way into the ground and to your seats, the same buzz and excitement that you felt outside follows you in. You don’t need to be an NFL expert to enjoy the game, you’ll find yourself getting caught up in the game as the teams go head to head, even if it is your first ever trip to watch the NFL. The hits are hard, the sprints are quick and the catches often defy belief.
You’ll find fans of all NFL teams in the stadium – it isn’t segregated and people just like to come and watch an NFL match, whoever is playing. You’ll get New Orleans Saints fans sat next to New York Giants fans sat next to Minnesota Vikings fans – all there to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars play the Green Bay Packers – it’s that kind of vibe. And that doesn’t take anything away from the enjoyment at all, it just adds to the party atmosphere.
There’s plenty of music, food and drink to enjoy during the match, and the four quarters will fly by. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Hospitality Packages for NFL London
As we mentioned, getting tickets for an NFL London fixture can be difficult. The games will all sell out, so you have to hope that you’re lucky on the day they are released.
If you aren’t however, there are other options. Hospitality packages and VIP tickets can be purchased at any time once the fixtures are announced, for whichever stadium you want to attend. It’s a great way to ensure your seat at the match, as well as enjoying a more luxurious experience. Here are just a few of the options for you to consider:
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The Spurs stadium was built with hospitality in mind – it is a stunning venue with world-leading facilities.
Premium Restaurant
Eat an exceptional three-course meal in this bustling restaurant, before taking your mid-tier seats near the 50-yard line. Half time and full time snacks, as well as inclusive beer, wine and soft drinks, with prosecco on arrival.
The H Club
These exclusive VIP tickets will grant you prime seats on the 50 yard line, snacks at half time and full time, inclusive beer, wine and soft drinks and Champagne on arrival. The main event, though, is a stunning three-course meal in The H Club.
Sideline Suites
Enjoy the game in style from your own private box for 8–21 guests, with padded seats directly outside offering superb views of the action. You’ll be treated to a three-course buffet, plus snacks at half-time and full-time, along with Champagne on arrival and a fully inclusive bar serving beer, wine and soft drinks. A dedicated hostess will ensure everything runs smoothly throughout the day, making this a VIP experience to remember.
Wembley Stadium
Where better to watch an event than our national stadium? Wembley is a modern venue, with plenty of hospitality options, including some tailored to the NFL games:
Huddle
Soak up the atmosphere in an exclusive hospitality suite with Level Two seats near the 50-yard line. Enjoy a Champagne reception, a comprehensive hot and cold buffet, and inclusive drinks for three hours pre-game, at half-time, and after the final whistle. There’s also live NFL entertainment, a souvenir programme, and post-game snacks to round off your day.
Sideline
With Level One seats near the 50-yard line, this premium package includes a Champagne welcome, access to a stylish lounge, and a private table for four or more guests. Tuck into a premium buffet, enjoy inclusive drinks before and after the game, and make the most of halftime snacks, live music, and a souvenir programme.
Hall of Fame
This is the most exclusive NFL experience at Wembley. Enjoy midfield seats, a Champagne and canapé reception, and a four-course gourmet menu in the stadium’s most prestigious lounge. With cocktails, premium spirits, and Champagne included pre- and post-game, plus halftime refreshments, live entertainment, and a souvenir programme, this is hospitality at its finest.
Final Word
NFL London is becoming one of the major sporting events in the UK. American football has never been so popular, and we are lucky to be able to see the best teams in the world play over here.
Don’t miss out this year. If you are interested in purchasing premium tickets for one of the NFL London games, get in touch with us today and we can help find the right packages for you and your guests.
