NFL to play season game in London next year
03 December 08
Visit London, has today confirmed that the American National Football League will return to the capital for a regular season game on Sunday 25th October 2009. The announcement follows the huge success of the recent NFL match between the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers in October at Wembley Stadium, in front of an audience of over 80,000.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the New England Patriots when they come to London. The Buccaneers and the Patriots have been two of the NFL’s most successful teams in recent years, combining to win four of the past seven Super Bowls. Both clubs are strong contenders for a return trip to the playoffs this season.
Visit London Interim CEO Sally Chatterjee said:
“This great news for London. Last year and again in 2008 we saw huge support for American football in London and for the NFL to return for a third year in a row is a tremendous achievement and cements our reputation as the most prestigious global sporting city in the world. Visit London’s intention is to continue to attract the best and biggest events to the capital in the lead up to and beyond the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
“I am proud that once again London has been chosen to hold another competitive NFL game. London’s sporting calendar continues to grow and the NFL announcement underlines the city’s position as the natural home for world-class Olympic and non-Olympic sporting events.”
The game between the Buccaneers and the Patriots, both of whom are currently challenging for places in this season’s play-offs, will take place in week seven of the 2009 season and will be shown live in the United States on CBS.
London’s bid for the return of the NFL was led by Events for London – a partnership comprising Visit London, the Mayor of London, and the London Development Agency.
Visit London Commercial Director and Events for London spokesperson David Hornby said:
“This is a great win for the capital and bolsters our reputation as a major events city. London has an unequalled profile on the world stage and the success of the 2007 and 2008 games has delighted the NFL. We are the global events destination of choice and we welcome the NFL’s decision to return to London.”
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