Slightly over ten months away, the NFL have today announced their selection of games to be held in London later this year.
With the city hosting only three games compared to the four they had in 2017, this trip will introduce the usage of a new stadium on this annual trip.
The 2018 @NFL London Games: pic.twitter.com/sxPBWT1UfI
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) January 11, 2018
Expected to be built in time for the 2018/19 Premier League season, Spurs will not have had long to settle into their new home before it is turned over to the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders for the opening game of this international series.
The other two games between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Charges, being played at the more regularly used Wembley Stadium.
It will be a first trip for the Eagles, Titans and Seahawks.
Speaking about the use of Spurs' new stadium for the NFL fixture, London's mayor Sadiq Khan was excited of the opportunity this venture enabled:
I look forward to seeing Tottenham Hotspur’s hugely impressive new stadium join the line-up of world-class sports arenas in our great city.
I welcome the commitment from Spurs in building not just a fantastic stadium for Premier League football and the NFL, but also leading the regeneration of this area of London and investing in local people.
No sooner had the fixtures been announced than some of those sides involved were keen to make their excitement clear. Although copious references made to Big Ben are sure to leave the visitors disappointed as they discover it will be out of action due to refurbishment.
⚡️✈️🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/owmWnb0NJO
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 11, 2018
For the first time, we embark on a journey across the pond 🇬🇧 https://t.co/6ndlYsMLlU
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 11, 2018
While the general reaction to the chosen games has been positive, many fans were curious why there had been a reduction to the number of games being played in London this year.
Interesting that the NFL played 4 London games this year but will only play 3 in 2018
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) January 11, 2018
Anyone know why the NFL went from 4 London games back to 3?
— NFL (@NFL_Bettor) January 11, 2018
Buzzing for Nfl in London, gutted only 3 games though #nfllondon
— UTFR (@ThebeardUTFR) January 11, 2018
By and large though, the excitement once again surrounding these far off fixtures is palpable, and, for the NFL's increasingly global fan-base, a rare opportunity to see elite sides at close action.
Can't wait to renew my season ticket for the #Nfluk games. Gonna upgrade my seats this year and get closer to the action #nfllondon
— Tim hall (@tim_hall28) January 11, 2018
We got a London game against the Raiders! #nfllondon
— Jenn (@Jennmombomb) January 11, 2018
Two great NFL UK games announced for 2018 with Eagles v Jags and Seahawks v Raiders, other one (Titans v Chargers) is decent but not as exciting as the others!
— Baconsarnie (@_baconsarnie) January 11, 2018
If that leaked list of NFL UK fixtures is correct, next seasons games re gonna be 🔥🔥🔥
— Tony Jameson (@tonyjameson) January 11, 2018
Let the waiting begin so.
