The National Football League has signed a 10-year agreement with a newly commissioned sports stadium in Great Britain to host two American football games per year there.
The NFL signed its agreement with Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League to play at their still-under-construction stadium scheduled for completion in 2018.
The stadium, designed to host multiple sporting events and other attractions, will feature a permanent American football artificial turf installed underneath a retractable natural grass field.
“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,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We share a vision and commitment to creating the best experience for our teams, fans and the local community.”
“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 Tottenham Hotspur Chairman Daniel Levy. “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.”
Along with the two games to be played at Tottenham Hotspur, the NFL agreement will also allow for games to be played elsewhere in the UK.
London Mayor Boris Johnson hailed the agreement as did several of the city’s community leaders.
The Tottenham Hotspur agreement is in addition to the NFL International Series begun last year at Wembley Stadium. The 2015 schedule will include the Miami Dolphins vs the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs vs the Detroit Lions.
American football has been increasing in popularity in England, so much so that the NFL mulls locating a team in the UK.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com
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