The NFL has confirmed the host venues for its 2024 International Games, which will see four franchises play fixtures in London, England, and Munich, Germany.
London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, home to the eponymous Premier League football club, will play host to the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings game, whilst the Jacksonville Jaguars will play at Wembley Stadium.
The Jaguars are a regular fixture at Wembley due to a multi-year agreement to play one game per season at the English national stadium, now running into its 12th year.
Meanwhile, Spurs’ ground was chosen due to it being the only purpose-built NFL stadium outside the US, having opened as an ultra-modern sports venue in 2019 as a replacement for the North London club’s old home, White Hart Lane.
On the other side of the North Sea, FC Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena will host the Carolina Panthers for the Bundesliga stadium’s third NFL fixture after first opening up to American football games in 2022.
Peter O’Reilly, Executive Vice President, Club Business, League Events and International at the NFL, said: “Taking our game to more fans around the world is a major priority for the league and its 32 teams, and we are delighted to be returning to London and Munich in 2024.”
The four teams playing European fixtures this year are part of the NFL’s Global Markets Programme, an initiative designed to increase the league’s overseas fanbase and capitalise on brand and commercial opportunities.
As a result, the Bears, Vikings and Jaguars have international marketing rights in the UK and the Panthers hold the same in Germany, leaving the franchises open for commercial partnerships in the two countries.
The NFL International Series first began in 2007 when the London Games commenced, followed by the Mexico Games launching in 2016 and the Germany Games in 2022.
The Mexico Games have been placed on a temporary hiatus while the usual host venue, Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, undergoes renovations. However, the NFL has continued to look for other overseas opportunities.
Last month, the league confirmed that Sao Paulo, Brazil, will host the first ever South American fixture. The league has also not ruled out the possibility of Madrid becoming the third European host city at some point in the future.
O’Reilly continued: “Whether tackle or flag football, international passion for the game and the NFL continues to grow, and having our teams and their world-class athletes play games and engage with fans around the world is an important part of becoming a truly global sport.”
