LONDON – It’s a query Roger Goodell will get when he’s in London: Would the NFL stage a Tremendous Bowl internationally?
The same old reply is that America’s greatest sporting occasion is reserved for cities which have NFL franchises. However because the commissioner famous in October, “ issues change. It wouldn’t shock me in any respect if that occurs someday.”
Because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles get set to sq. off within the Tremendous Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, right here’s a take a look at some key components and potential venues if the league had been to take its marquee occasion overseas in a bid to take the sport to a very international viewers.
When?
It would not be anytime quickly. Tremendous Bowl places are set by means of 2028. And for worldwide priorities, league officers are targeted on growing the variety of regular-season video games performed overseas. Eight is the utmost variety of league-operated video games per season however they need to double that quickly. This season, Brazil joined the listing of nations to host a regular-season sport. Spain is subsequent. Eire and Australia have been recognized, and the league is contemplating the United Arab Emirates, too.
Instances zones, climate worries, America first?
Viewers — and advertisers — are accustomed to the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff however with London 5 hours forward and cities in Spain and Germany six hours forward that will require flexibility on either side. A sport in Mexico Metropolis or Brazil can be simpler from that perspective.
Europe in February may be dreary weather-wise, however Actual Madrid’s newly renovated Santiago Bernabeu Stadium has a retractable roof. Even contemplating outside stadiums, Europe is the fastest-warming continent. The UK had its warmest February on file final yr and was wetter than common, and Germany’s climate service stated the 2023-24 winter was the nation’s third-warmest and likewise one of many wettest.
Goodell’s feedback in London additionally preceded the U.S. presidential election. President Donald Trump, who tried to purchase the Buffalo Payments in 2014, has weighed in on NFL matters previously.
Whereas U.S. cities are prepared to bend to the NFL’s appreciable calls for for Tremendous Bowl week, their overseas counterparts could also be much less accommodating. In Europe, native governments are much less prone to have the monetary autonomy to underwrite an enormous occasion, stated Stefan Szymanski, a College of Michigan professor of sport administration.
“It’s additionally not clear why the NFL would want to forego the a lot larger degree of curiosity right here within the US,” Szymanski added. “I believe it must be way more common in Europe for this to make any sense. However perhaps someday.”
A take a look at some potential hosts:
Azteca Stadium, Mexico Metropolis
Execs: Time zone, proximity to U.S., climate. Azteca has hosted 5 regular-season NFL video games, together with the primary one held outdoors the US. Cool historical past — each Pele and Maradona received a World Cup at Azteca, website of the “ Hand of God ” aim by Maradona.
Cons: Altitude. It’s 7,200 ft above sea degree (2,000 greater than any NFL stadium) Do you need to see gamers gasping for air by halftime? To not point out hundreds of American followers aren’t touring for a cardio exercise. An NFL sport in 2018 was pulled from Azteca on quick discover due to area circumstances.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Execs: Mainly, model new and customized constructed with the NFL in thoughts, it boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, devoted NFL locker rooms and area. It has hosted video games since 2019 and has a long-term contract with the league. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy acquired the stadium constructed and can be a key associate for such a giant occasion.
Cons: Time zone, climate, capability (beneath 63,000).
Wembley Stadium, London
Execs: Wembley is the NFL’s “OG” in Europe. It hosted the primary regular-season sport performed outdoors North America — a mudfest between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins in 2007, and it yearly hosts a Jacksonville Jaguars sport. At 86,000-plus capability, it’s considerably greater than Tottenham. Jaguars proprietor Shad Khan tried to purchase the stadium from the English Soccer Affiliation in 2018.
Cons: Time zone, climate.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid
Execs: House of Actual Madrid soccer membership, Bernabeu has a retractable roof, so no climate worries. Like Tottenham, there’s a retractable soccer area that makes manner for an American soccer area beneath. In 2025, the stadium will host the NFL’s first-ever regular-season sport in Spain. Actual Madrid stated the deal is for a number of years. Stadium capability is greater than 78,000.
Cons: Time zone.
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Execs: A rebuilt Camp Nou with a capability of 104,000 would provide the NFL the prospect to stage the largest Tremendous Bowl ever. The file attendance is 103,985 on the Rose Bowl in 1980. Like Madrid, Barcelona additionally brings international model energy. Mediterranean local weather. The league has already spoken to Barcelona a couple of regular-season sport.
Cons: Not within the NFL rotation but. Time zone.
Olympic Stadium, Berlin
Execs: The NFL has been eyeing a return to Berlin for years. “ Olympiastadion ” will host its first regular-season sport in 2025 as a part of a multiyear deal that entails the cooperation of the Berlin Senate. Taking part in within the capital possible offers Olympic Stadium a bonus over different German cities. Capability is simply over 74,000.
Cons: Time zone, climate.
Stade de France, Paris
Execs: A Tremendous Bowl week amid iconic monuments and museums within the French capital would possibly entice even some skeptics. Capability is 80,000.
Cons: The league and the stadium operators have mentioned a regular-season sport, however it hasn’t occurred but due to uncertainty over the lease. Time zone, climate.
Croke Park, Dublin
Execs: One of many largest stadiums in Europe with capability over 86,000. Dublin’s confirmed skill to deal with hordes of People who arrive every August for school soccer, although these video games are on the smaller Aviva Stadium.
Cons: Not within the NFL rotation but, time zone, climate.
Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
Execs: Kickoff time. Engaging for touring followers simply weeks earlier than Carnival. Capability is 78,000.
Cons: Not within the NFL rotation — Goodell has named Rio as a possible host however hasn’t specified a venue. Sao Paolo’s Corinthians Area is just too small. Is likely to be too sizzling? February is Rio’s hottest month with the typical day by day most temperature of 86 levels and excessive humidity. The highest temperature at kickoff of a Tremendous Bowl was in 1973 when it was 84 levels.
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