Four London NFL Games Confirmed For 2017

12 Dec 2016 | tshego

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A London NFL franchise moved a stepped closer to reality after it was confirmed that the capital city would host four regular-season games in 2017.

Following three games in London in 2016 the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars have all been confirmed to be involved next year, marking the highest number of regular-season games to take place in the city since the NFL began staging matches in the UK.

The fixtures – which will be announced on Tuesday – will mean 21 games have been played in the UK since 2007.

There will be at least two games staged at Wembley next year, although Twickenham also has a deal to host top-tier American football in the city.

London hosted three games in 2016, with two at Wembley and one at Twickenham.

With four games also representing the equivalent to half of a team’s home schedule of regular-season games, the series could also be a significant test for the viability of a full-time London-based NFL franchise.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has been a vocal supporter of a potential London NFL team, said the development was a ‘huge step’ towards having a team based in the city.

He added: “London staging a fourth NFL game is fantastic news – not only for the millions of sports fans who get to enjoy our iconic stadiums – but also because it confirms our status as the go-to choice for hosting the world’s biggest sporting events.”

Confirmation of the NFL’s 2017 schedule in London will also be good news for Premier League football team, Tottenham Hotspur, who have earmarked a potential NFL collaboration as a way to recoup the cost of its new stadium.