The English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur has agreed to a 10-year partnership with the National Football League (NFL) to host American football games at Tottenham’s new stadium from 2018.
Under the deal, the NFL will stage a minimum of two games a season over 10 years. Other NFL games may also take place at different venues in the UK during the span of agreement
The NFL has two seasons remaining on an arrangement with Wembley Stadium, where it has so far staged 11 games since 2007, and is optimistic that the relationship will be extended beyond 2016.
“We have an opportunity now to deliver one of the most unique sports, leisure and entertainment venues in the world, bringing together the EPL (Premier League) and NFL for the first time,” said Premiere League chairman Daniel Levy. “The socio-economic benefits this will bring to the area will be immense and demonstrates our commitment to the regeneration of this priority borough in London.”
“With growing enthusiasm for the NFL in the United Kingdom, we are committed to hosting NFL games in world-class venues and are excited to partner with Tottenham Hotspur to play games at their future stadium,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We share a vision and commitment to creating the best experience for our teams, fans and the local community.”
Tottenham has unveiled the updated plans for Populous-designed stadium to be built adjacent to White Hart Lane—Spurs’ current home. The 61,000-seat arena boasts dedicated NFL facilities, with a fully retractable pitch revealing a second playing surface below. The development also includes a 180-bed hotel and 579 new homes. The stadium will also increase the club’s capacity by almost 25,000 seats, featuring the largest single tier stand in the UK.
The deal followed the reports that both Tottenham and Chelsea were vying to use Wembley Stadium as their temporary home while their respective stadiums were being renovated. Spurs’ new link-up with the NFL could give them some leverage to make Wembley home for a few years.
The start of a new English Premier League season is just less than a month away and excitement is building for the return of one of the world’s most popular league with the reigning champion Chelsea as the favorite at 3/2 while Manchester City at 11/4, Arsenal at 4/1, Manchester United at 11/2 and Tottenham Hotspur 66/1.
