[NFL] London to host first NFL game outside of North America

[DreAming in DigITal]

yeah it was regular season. i don't know why i thought it was preseason.

I hear ya man....Anywho...the Giants stand a good chance of helping the NFL grow and picking up alot of fans in the UK...Hopefully they spank the Dolphins though :D

[IceDogg]

It would be good if it was a success but is there really that much of a following in the UK to make it worthwhile?

Isn't NFL Europe doing ok? I'm I wrong in Europe and UK is the same? I'm really asking as this has always confused me.

[Xeonic]

Isn't NFL Europe doing ok? I'm I wrong in Europe and UK is the same? I'm really asking as this has always confused me.

Eh, NFL Europe? Its so-so. The problem is that most of the big teams are actually in Germany, not the UK. See Wiki...

Team - Year Founded

Current Teams

Amsterdam Admirals - 1995

Berlin Thunder - 1999

Cologne Centurions - 2004

Frankfurt Galaxy - 1991

Hamburg Sea Devils - 2005

Rhein Fire - 1995

Former Teams

London Monarchs - 1991-1997

England Monarchs - 1998

(F.C.) Barcelona Dragons - 1991-2003

Scottish Claymores - 1995-2004

Part of the fact that, well, it sucks so much is that all the 32 "true" NFL teams just send the 4th and 5th stringers over to NFL-E and hope they develop...and there have been some success stories (Kurt Warner anyone?), but overall its a mess. I think that a true game in Europe would definately help the NFL in some way/shape/form but the Giants and 'Fins. Bah. Dont care :no:

[Guest]

None of the current NFL Europe teams are based in the UK.

I have no doubt that Wembley will be full for this event, there is a growing community over here.

As for it being a poor game, it may well be to the Americans here who have the convinience of a local NFL team and numerous games a year. But for us fans in the UK, it's an opportunity to experience the atmosphere and electricity of a live game, for the first time.

It is more of a marketing campaign, so it doesn't surprise me that the two teams are those with the rich history (Dan Marino anyone?)

[Martyn]

That would make sense, since it's a football game.

American Football...

[IceDogg]

Thanks for the info Xeonic. I'm going to have to do some research into what is UK and what is Europe I guess. My geography sucks! Not even good on my US geography.

[Guest]

Slightly off topic, is anyone going to the Super Bash party in London?

[nellydoom]

might see if i can get tickets to this and talk a few mates into coming down to london for a weekend.

[Bawx]

I don't know but I've read on these forums nothing but people from the UK almost angry at the game they hate it so much. And say we're pussies for wearing pads.

[Red Arrow]

I don't know but I've read on these forums nothing but people from the UK almost angry at the game they hate it so much. And say we're pussies for wearing pads.

Ignore them, they just don't understand the game at all. Don't worry there is a large following of people in the UK who like the NFL!

[batbeef]

England has no swagger

[Guest]

I don't know but I've read on these forums nothing but people from the UK almost angry at the game they hate it so much. And say we're pussies for wearing pads.

The game has a strong following, and it's becoming bigger. The people who come out with that kind of bull**** are either incredibly ignorant, or just don't understand how physical the game actually is.

Quick update regarding the London game. It's scheduled for October 28th, 18.00 kick off at Wembley. The two teams participating are the Giants and the Dolphins. Miami have forfeited a home game for the tie.

Tickets are expected to go on sale during the spring. Prices starting at ?45.

[beardedwonder]

Would be a fun night out, i think the major problem for a lot of people here are the breaks. Which i find hard to stomach and would imagine things could get a bit boring in the stadium if you're there. Also we already have a national sport called football.

I wouldn't mind going, would have to think up a clever sign to hold up though :)

[Brodel]

Would be a fun night out, i think the major problem for a lot of people here are the breaks. Which i find hard to stomach and would imagine things could get a bit boring in the stadium if you're there.

I think it'll be good just to enjoy the atmosphere and be able to sit in the new stadium for a few hours lol. Me and some friends want to go, but ?45 for the cheapest tickets is pretty pricey, especially considering I saw Brazil v Argentina and Arsenal v Fulham for less. If they are trying to spread the appeal of the NFL they should make it more accessible.

[Syphonic]

I agree with those who said that it would be unfair on the 'home' team. They should probably have just made it an 'exhibition match' or something.

It will be interesting to see what the attendence is like. There is actually quite a bit of an NFL following in the UK.

[Lurchybaby]

This isn't the first NFL game outside the US. Tokyo Japan in 1992, I went to a Dallas Cowboys (and I forget who the other team was) game in the Tokyo Dome.

[Shibby]

Meh i watched the superbowl and hated it so much.

The breaks all the time made it boring to watch. If they played each phase (the 15 mins correct) in real time instead of a stop and start for like 5 mins, then it would be more appealing. Also since it uses video tech for most things that takes time and will bore people. In Rugby video tech is mostly used for goals and such where it counts.

Football(soccer) just needs the video tech for goals and maybe something to help offside.

I can't see NFL being a bit hit in the UK since Footbal is a national sport, just like why football does not get such high ratings in america.

[+StevoFC MVC]

This isn't the first NFL game outside the US. Tokyo Japan in 1992, I went to a Dallas Cowboys (and I forget who the other team was) game in the Tokyo Dome.

Yeah those games are known as part of the American Bowl Series. I think they started in like 1985 or 86. They aren't part of the regular season. They are all held in early to mid August when it is still preseason.

[Lurchybaby]

Yeah those games are known as part of the American Bowl Series. I think they started in like 1985 or 86. They aren't part of the regular season. They are all held in early to mid August when it is still preseason.

Yeah, if memory serves (this was 15 years ago), it was a pre-season game. Semi-misleading thread title.

/DRTFA initially

//that's "Didn't Read The Fcuking Article" for the uninitiated

[DanManIt]

That's pretty cool, maybe the rest of the world will pick up on this.

[Brodel]

The NFL claims to have received more than half a million ticket requests for the game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants to be played in London on October 28.

Fans are able to register their interest online with the process due to close next Sunday, but the system has already been overwhelmed with the NFL reporting 100,000 requests within the first 24 hours and more than 160,000 fans registering and asking for over 500,000 tickets in the first 72 hours.

http://www.sportinglife.com/nfl/news/story...NFL_London.html

[Guest]

Yeah, if memory serves (this was 15 years ago), it was a pre-season game. Semi-misleading thread title.

If you actually read the entire post (specifically the part quoted from the BBC article) you'd have known it was a regular season game.