The NFL today announced the home teams set to take part in its annual International Series games, with three matches scheduled for London as well as trips to Munich and Mexico City.
The announcement confirmed that London’s resident tourists the Jacksonville Jaguars will be joined by the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers - the only franchise yet to play in the Big Smoke - in 2022.
The Arizona Cardinals will play in Mexico, while the Tom Brady-less Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the NFL's first regular season clash in Germany at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. All opponents will be confirmed at a later date.
Sky Sports NFL expert Neil Reynolds believes the announcement of five international games suggests the appetite for American football is growing on a global scale.
“There’s a game in Mexico, three in the UK and another in Germany,” Reynolds exclusively told The Mirror. “I’m not suggesting the NFL becomes a Formula One season, but I love the unknown of what’s next: will we look at Paris? Will there be a game in Australia?
"The world's a smaller place from a travel and from a sporting fandom point of view.
“I feel like we’re covering the NFL in a historic period. This is one of the greatest NFL sporting stories that we're telling right now.
"People sometimes take it for granted - you couldn't even get 3000 people to Crystal Palace to watch the London Monarchs. It’s brilliant.”
Despite the construction of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - the first purpose-built NFL stadium outside of North America - the iconic Wembley Stadium returns to the line-up, hosting its first game since 2019 after originally being the key venue when the International Series began in 2007.
Reynolds is ‘absolutely delighted’ with the news that the NFL is returning to Wembley - and he spoke highly of the league’s imminent debut in Germany, too.
“I’m very pleased that Wembley Stadium is going to get a game again,” Reynolds said.
“I love the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, but I've never had a bad experience or a bad day out at Wembley and I think fans feel the same way so I'm glad that our numbers are going back up to three games in 2022.
“I’m even happier that Germany is getting a game. Some of my best nights covering American football were in Germany during NFL Europe.
"The fans are so passionate, every bit as knowledgeable and passionate as the fans here in the UK. They have travelled to the London games, so they deserve to have one in their own backyard.
“I’m glad it's split between Munich and Frankfurt going forward. Munich’s stadium is incredible and I think that's going to be a tremendous host, but Frankfurt's got a great history with NFL Europe.
"I can't wait to go to that game - and I'm sure there's a lot of British fans that feel the same way.”
The excitement around the international NFL community, particularly here in the UK, is palpable. Viewing figures remain on the rise, while it is clear to see the vibrant British fanbase continuing to grow annually.
When asked about what British fans have to be excited about going forwards, Reynolds was clear: “We’re just going to see more commitment.
“Teams are now able to market themselves internationally, so you're going to see the Jets and Jaguars be more involved along with the 49ers, the Bears, the Dolphins, and the Vikings. It's not going away.
"Even if you see other places hosting games, it’s not a threat to what's going on in the UK. We'll see more players come through the NFL Academy, going to colleges, and going to the NFL.
“We are considered a true NFL market. It’s a world away from where we were 20 years ago.”
With London hosting regular season matches and divisional rivalries over the years, Reynolds has some ideas of how the NFL can continue to expand in the UK - including a fine idea of having a team come over for a training camp prior to the start of the season.
However, after Super Bowl LVI between the Cincinnati Bengals and the victorious Los Angeles Rams was a resounding success, there is one question on people’s lips: could London ever host the Super Bowl?
“London is in the conversation. I’ve heard us in conversations for a franchise, the Super Bowl, and a draft venue,” Reynolds insisted.
“There are so many different opportunities for growth. Will there be a London team? Will there be a German team? Will there be a European Division?
“Could we have a team at Wembley, a team at Tottenham, a team in Munich and a team in Frankfurt? Is that why we've got two cities in Germany? There's your European division right there.”
