On 11th October, British NFL fans packed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to the rafters to watch a pulsating tie between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles. The former clinched the game late on, sending fans home happy.
The game was the second of three to be played in London in October. Two games are penciled in for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Wembley. The London games are a permanent part of the British autumn sports calendar. It’s the hottest ticket in town.
Worth a family trip? Most assuredly, even if there are a few caveats. The NFL is part sports game, part spectacle, and it’s quite unlike going to any other type of sports game. From halftime entertainment to pyro shows, it’s a big slice of entertainment with a sports game thrown into the middle of it.
The NFL Has Made A Big Impression On The UK
The NFL has been on the march to expand globally. In the UK, the league has found its veritable 51st state. The number of fans in the UK is now in the millions. Broadcasters, including Sky, Channel 5 and Netflix effectively show every game live.
Fans engage en masse with NFL content on social media, they bet on NFL games, and basically do everything that American fans do. The sport, in short, has seen a remarkable rise in the UK.
That growth in popularity is fine, but it does pose a few issues for families hoping to get tickets to see the games. For a start, the games in London almost always sell out – and quickly. They do appear on resale platforms later, but that can add considerable costs.
Standard tickets tend to cost around £70-80, and then you also have to factor in extras – snacks, transport, and so on. So, let’s just say that the costs can add up for a typical family of four.
Europe Also Hosts Annual Games
For those wanting to look further afield, there is a smattering of games held on the continent each autumn. The London Games are almost set in stone, but there is usually at least one game in Germany. France hosts its first-ever NFL game on 25th October. Spain held its first game last year, as did Ireland. It’s clearly part of the NFL’s strategy to bring games to European fans, and it’s a ploy that seems to be working wonders for the league’s popularity.
There is arguably a more family-friendly atmosphere at NFL games, certainly compared to soccer games. As mentioned, the theatrics that accompany the games really add to the spectacle. Overall, it is probably not suitable for children under the age of seven or eight, but older kids can really enjoy the day out. A typical NFL game takes just over three hours, and there are lots of periods (time-outs) where the action is on a break, so that should be factored in when deciding whether the kids will like it.
Yet, overall, it is a unique family day out, showcasing the best of American pomp and ceremony. Admittedly, it is not going to be a cheap day, and you might even decide that the money could be better spent on a holiday or staycation. But for the sports fans in your family, it’s almost guaranteed to deliver an experience that they will never forget.