NFL International Series
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Beginning with the 2005 season, the National Football League has begun to host regular season American football games held outside of the United States.
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[edit] Background
Prior to 2005, the NFL's primary method of promoting its game abroad was through the American Bowl, a series of preseason games played around the world, and the NFL Europe League, a developmental league based in Europe.
Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the National Football League, has considered expanding the league's appeal overseas ever since the end of NFL Europa. Goodell has openly discussed the idea of holding a future Super Bowl game in London[1] The NFL is also investigating the possibility of adding a 17th regular season game to all teams, taking the place of the fourth pre-season game.[2] Aside from England, other prime areas to get games would be Germany, which has a half-dozen quality stadiums thanks to the 2006 World Cup; Mexico; and Canada. Mark Waller, NFL senior vice president, international, doubts Asia or Australia would be targeted because of the travel concerns, but he doesn't dismiss anything.[2] Waller notes that there won't be 16 different venues for the 17th games. More likely would be a "mini-season ticket" of perhaps four games in one city or country.[2] The game could come into effect as early as the 2009 NFL season.[2]
Games in the United Kingdom are broadcast on radio by BBC Radio 5 Live, with Arlo White commentating.
[edit] 2005
On October 2, 2005, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 31-14 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It was the first regular season NFL game held outside of the United States.[1] The game drew the NFL's highest game attendance with 103,467 spectators.[1][3]
[edit] 2007
The Miami Dolphins hosted the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in London, England on October 28, 2007. The Giants defeated the Dolphins 13-10 in the first regular season NFL game held outside of North America. The first 40,000 tickets sold-out for the game in the first 90 minutes of sales.[1][4]
The game was aired on Fox, but was not available nationwide in the United States. Portions of the midwestern and Rocky Mountain areas of the United States did not get to see the game on television.[5]
[edit] 2008
The San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints will play at Wembley Stadium on October 26, 2008.[6]
Like the 2007 game, this matchup will not be seen nationally, having only regional coverage on CBS.
[edit] Game history
| Date | Television | Designated Visitors | Score | Designated Home | Score | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2, 2005 | ESPN | San Francisco 49ers | 14 | Arizona Cardinals | 31 | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City |
| October 28, 2007 | FOX | New York Giants | 13 | Miami Dolphins | 10 | Wembley Stadium | London |
| October 26, 2008 | CBS | San Diego Chargers | New Orleans Saints | Wembley Stadium | London |
[edit] Possible future teams
Before the Chargers and Saints were announced to be the two teams headed to London in 2008, the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Seattle Seahawks were identified as teams interested in playing a future game in Europe.[7] In particular, Seattle, which had been slated to play the China Bowl before that game was postponed from 2007 to 2009 to accommodate the International Series, has shown a continued interest in playing a game abroad.
[edit] Toronto
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For more details on this topic, see National Football League in Toronto.
The Buffalo Bills received a unanimous vote of approval to play one regular season game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario in the next five seasons, and a pre-season game in every other year, beginning in 2008.[8] This will be separate from the regular International Series.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Associated Press. NFL commisioner says Super Bowl may someday be held in London ESPN.com, 15 October 2007.
- ^ a b c d Associated Press. NFL looking closely at expanding to 17 games with international flavor ESPN.com, 10 May 2007.
- ^ Associated Press. 3 AFC, 3 NFC teams named possible 'hosts' in Europe ESPN.com, 8 January 2007.
- ^ Associated Press. Dolphins will play Giants in London on Oct. 28 ESPN.com, 2 February 2007.
- ^ NFL TV distribution maps - FOX Week 8 Early. The506.com. 28 October 2007.
- ^ Associated Press. Chargers-Saints game in London official; Bills to play some games in Toronto ESPN.com, 1 February 2008
- ^ Mortensen, Chris. Source: Bills likely to get OK to play game in Toronto ESPN.com, 20 January 2008.
- ^ Associated Press. Bills to play annual regular-season game in Toronto starting next season ESPN.com, 1 February 2008.
