NFL Signs 10-Year Deal With Tottenham

The NFL and Tottenham Hotspur have announced a 10-year partnership that will include a minimum of two NFL games per year at the English Premier League team’s new stadium in London.

The stadium, due to open in the summer of 2018, will feature a retractable grass field with an artificial surface underneath that would be used for NFL games. This field is expected to add greater flexibility in the scheduling of games, with the NFL having its own playing surface for games held at the venue. The field will be multiuse and capable of hosting other sporting events.

“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.”

In addition to the minimum of two games per year at the new Tottenham site, other NFL games may take place at different venues in the UK during the span of the 10-year agreement. The NFL has two seasons remaining on an arrangement with Wembley Stadium, where it has 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 sporting and entertainment venues in the world, bringing together the EPL and NFL for the first time,” said Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur. “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.”