BY JEFF SLADE
The NFL has already arrived in London, and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere soon.
The NFL announced on Wednesday a new agreement with Tottenham Hotsupr, in which the NFL will play at least two games in Tottenham’s new stadium beginning in 2018 and lasting through 2027.
“With growing enthusiasm for the NFL in the United Kingdom, we are committed to hosting NFL games in world-class venues and are excited to partner with Tottenham Hotspur to play games at their future stadium,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. “We share a vision and commitment to creating the best experience for our teams, fans and the local community.”
The new stadium for the London-based Spurs, set to open in 2018 and costing an estimated $615 million, will feature a unique retractable grass field with an artificial surface underneath to be used for NFL games.
Increased capacity – up from 56,250 to 61,000 with the largest single tier stand in the UK, increased to 17,000. pic.twitter.com/3FDBsuNIFh
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 8, 2015
The design of the proposed new stadium is optimised to meet the latest requirements & improvements in stadia design. pic.twitter.com/LJ9me4K4ir
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 8, 2015
"We have an opportunity now to deliver one of the most unique sporting and entertainment venues in the world, bringing together the EPL and NFL for the first time,” said Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, in the same statement. “The socio-economic benefits this will bring to the area will be immense and demonstrates our commitment to the regeneration of this priority borough in London.”
The NFL began its “International Series” in 2007, playing 11 games since that time, all at London’s Wembley Stadium. Wembley will continue to host the International Series in until 2018, with three games currently slated for both the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
The new partnership does not exclude the possibility of an NFL team eventually making London their permanent home, which some believe may happen sooner than most think.
The interest in the NFL has grown in the United Kingdom progressively since the move oversees, as London Mayor Boris Johnson added, “Londoners are going absolutely gangbusters for Gridiron.”
At the very least, the NFL has committed to a long-term presence in London. How large that presence will be remains uncertain, but no matter the case it appears football in London has found its new home.