NFL Expansion Talk

Exploring Possible International Expansion Cities for the NFL

The NFL is now a multi-billion-dollar industry, and with its growth and popularity, it’s no surprise that the league is considering expanding its reach beyond the United States. While the current focus for the league is on building a fan base abroad via international games, it’s only a matter of time before expanding into new markets becomes a priority.

The new NFL campaign will get underway on September 7th as the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs – who triumphed over the Philadelphia Eagles in one of the most exhilarating Super Bowls of all time back in February – host the underdog Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium. The visitors are no strangers to springing the shock as they demonstrated on the final day of last season when they stunned the Green Bay Packers 20-16 at Lambeau Field to stop the Cheeseheads from advancing to the playoffs. The latest NFL live odds make them +250 outsiders to repeat the feat in this season’s curtain raiser.

When it comes to Lombardi odds for next term, the reigning champions have been made the +625 favorites to retain the trophy next season. They are closely followed in the betting charts by the Philadelphia Eagles (+750), San Francisco 49ers (+850), and Buffalo Bills (+900). It remains to be seen as to who will triumph throughout the course of next term, however one thing that is certain is that the campaign will be as exciting as ever.

In this article, however, we’ll be focusing on the NFL’s international series. Here are five cities from around the world that could be potential expansion options for the league, becoming the first franchise in history to be located outside of the United States of America.

London, UK

The city has successfully hosted more than 20 NFL games, and its fan base has significantly grown over the past decade. On average, over 80,000 people show up to NFL games in London, highlighting the city’s immense passion for the sport. The NFL has made significant strides in establishing football as a popular sport in a nation where it holds a distinct meaning.

It’s evident that London has the potential to become a prime location for NFL games with the opening of Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, purposefully designed to accommodate NFL games. This season, the state-of-the-art arena will host the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens. The excitement is already palpable.

Munich, Germany

Munich is renowned for its love of sports, particularly for its dominant football team FC Bayern Munich and its well-attended beer festivals. American football has a long history in the city, and there are many football clubs, colleges, and school initiatives. Notably, the German Football League, which has approximately 40 teams, is the largest American football league in Europe.

The league has a sizable fan base, showing that American football is not merely a specialty sport in Germany. Munich offers a unique chance for NFL expansion due to its sizable population of sports fans and prestigious reputation.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City is a bustling, populated city and the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the world. The NFL started holding games in Mexico City in 2005, and the popularity of the sport has only increased since then. American football enjoys a devoted following in the city thanks to a select few significant sponsors.

The Estadio Azteca, which hosts several NFL games and is home to Mexico’s national football team, is the biggest football stadium in the nation and will have enough room for the league’s future expansion.

Toronto, Canada

Toronto has a dedicated NFL fan base due to its closeness to the US. It won’t take long for the NFL to broaden its appeal given the size of its fan base in Canada. Despite prior difficulties for the league in doing so, Toronto is the ideal place to start. The city makes a majestic home for the NFL thanks to its enthusiastic sports fans, active sports scene, and plenty of professional sports teams. Furthermore, relocating to Canada would only enhance the league’s standing as a truly international organization.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a city that has embraced American culture with open arms, with American football being no exception. The Tokyo Dome has hosted college football games in the past with remarkable success and boasts a wide-ranging fan base.

The NFL has been slowly but surely building a relationship with Japan via the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl events broadcast in the country. With a population of over 37 million in the Greater Tokyo area, the NFL could tap into an immense new market via expansion to Japan.

Conclusion

The NFL has been exploring international opportunities for quite some time. As the league continues to reach new heights of popularity, expansion seems like the next logical step. With these five potential destinations, the NFL could tap into entirely new markets, delivering its unique brand of football to audiences worldwide.

And while London and Munich are the front runners to become the go-to destinations for the NFL’s first international teams, the league would be remiss not to consider Mexico City, Toronto, Tokyo, and other major cities that could also make for excellent expansion options. Only time will tell what the NFL has in store for all of us.

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