Rugby Football Union Agrees Deal With NFL

03 Nov 2015 | tshego

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The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced a three year partnership with the National Football League (NFL), which will see a minimum of three regular season games played at Twickenham Stadium over three years, starting in October 2016.

Selected teams for the game will be revealed later this year, with the agreement also giving NFL an opportunity to stage two additional games over the same period.

The latest announcement expands NFL’s presence in the capital, having agreed an extended deal with Wembley Stadium earlier this year to stage at least two regular-season games a year through until 2020.

Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur also reached a ten year deal with the NFL to host a minimum of two games per year at the team’s new stadium in London, due to open in the summer of 2018. The venue will feature a retractable grass field with an artificial surface underneath that would be used for NFL games.

Chief commercial & marketing officer, RFU, Sophie Goldschmidt, commented: “We are delighted to welcome the NFL to Twickenham; a stadium that has played such an integral role in what has been the biggest Rugby World Cup ever.

“The NFL has a strong and growing fan base in the UK, and this, combined with the investments we’ve made in our stadium will give fans more opportunities to experience the action first-hand at a world-class venue.”

Mark Waller, executive vice-president of international, NFL, added: “We are committed to continuing to grow our sport in the UK and believe that adding Twickenham Stadium to our roster of host venues in London is further evidence of that commitment.

“We are very excited to give our fans the opportunity to enjoy NFL action at another world-class venue famous for attracting loyal and passionate fans from across the globe.”