Kraft: The Patriots want to play a game in Scotland

[ScottishPatriot]

I never had a bowl. Bangers and mash either

Would the locals fill the stadium up?

I find it difficult to believe that there are that many NFL fans living there. If not then an NFL team in Scotland, Ireland and England would be a good way to break into the global market. You couldnt ask for 3 better rivalries IMO. Find 1 more location for a 4 team division and get them into the current NFL format and rotation.

That Division would have a Champion every season.

I agree! Wales would be the natural fourth team. That would be an excellent division within a prospective European Conference.

We had an NFL Europe team: the Scottish Claymores. Crowds were generally sporadic, but we’re talking over 20 years ago now.

There has been a huge surge in NFL viewing figures in Scotland (and in the UK in general) since then. It wouldn’t surprise me if it sells out. The London games sell out every year, and many people from Scotland travel down for those.

 

[mgteich]

perhaps, I suspect that the leagues want to regularize play at least 1 game per team per year.

I suspect that Ireland, Scotland and England would like support a couple of game each. They might even support enough game to support an AFCE team.

I suspect that a German city is more likely. There are 20 million "fans", especially in Frankfort, Berlin and Munich. I believe that there are also upgraded stadiums.

 

[mgteich]

I suspect that a German team is more likely to support a team in the AFCE. There are 20 million "fans", especially in Frankfort, Berlin and Munich. I believe that there are also upgraded stadiums.

I suspect that the league will experiment for a while.

 

[mgteich]

I agree! Wales would be the natural fourth team. That would be an excellent division within a prospective European Conference.

We had an NFL Europe team: the Scottish Claymores. Crowds were generally sporadic, but we’re talking over 20 years ago now.

There has been a huge surge in NFL viewing figures in Scotland (and in the UK in general) since then. It wouldn’t surprise me if it sells out. The London games sell out every year, and many people from Scotland travel down for those.

yes, Cardiff, Wales would complete the 4-team division. Their stadium holds 73,000 for rugby.

The UK might be ready to support one team as Germany might be. That would be 8-9 games a year for each team. I suspect that we are a decade away from the NFL being willing to play 34 games a year in a European country.

 

[Triumph]

I agree! Wales would be the natural fourth team.

Really?

So, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England. That is where the NFL needs to start then. Then you get France, Spain, Germany, Italy wanting teams too.

We had an NFL Europe team: the Scottish Claymores. Crowds were generally sporadic, but we’re talking over 20 years ago now.

I recall.

Germany had a teams too

There has been a huge surge in NFL viewing figures in Scotland (and in the UK in general) since then. It wouldn’t surprise me if it sells out. The London games sell out every year, and many people from Scotland travel down for those.

Maybe is there hope for NFL expansion afterall.

 

[mgteich]

So, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England. That is where the NFL needs to start then. Then you get France, Spain, Germany, Italy wanting teams too.

.

Do you really think that the NFL is popular in Wales than in Germany?

In any case, JAX plays one home game a year in London now. The currently situation 10 additional games out of the US in 2027. The next step seems to be move to 12 to 14, eventually to 16 games a year out of country with a home game every other year for each team. JAX could keep its additional home game in London each year.

The expansion is now into the UK, the EU, South America and Australia. It seems unlikely that the league would give up on any region to have 34 games in one area and none elsewhere. Increasing to 16 or 17 seems to be the next step.

 

[ScottishPatriot]

yes, Cardiff, Wales would complete the 4-team division. Their stadium holds 73,000 for rugby.

The UK might be ready to support one team as Germany might be. That would be 8-9 games a year for each team. I suspect that we are a decade away from the NFL being willing to play 34 games a year in a European country.

Yep, as a fan of a rival national rugby team, I’m well aware of The Principality Stadium! It generates awesome atmosphere (as does Murrayfield, and Celtic Park - but I’m biased!).

I agree on the timescale for the more than one or two European teams. I’d say Germany and the UK as a whole are definitely ready for one team; whether the NFL is, I don’t know.