NFL International Series

The NFL International Series was introduced in 2005 as a method of expanding the NFL brand into new markets around the world. American Football is becoming increasingly popular in other countries outside of North America and in a move to increase the profile of the sport, it was announced that a series of regular season games would be played outside of the United States.

Previously, the only NFL matches that had taken place overseas were as part of the American Bowl Series, which was popular during the 1980’s and 90’s and saw pre season friendly games being played between two franchises in neutral venues in countries from the UK and Germany to as far a field as Japan and Australia.

The first game of the newly introduced International Series game took place on October 2nd 2005 when the Arizona Cardinals took on the San Fransico 49ers at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. A record crowd of over 103,000 witnessed the Cardinals defeat the 49ers 31 -14 in a game that was deemed a huge success for the International Series.

The second game of the International Series saw the NFL move to Europe with Wembley Stadium, London, the chosen venue for the game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants on October 28th 2007. Following the success of this game, the NFL announced that a regular season game played in the UK each year until 2010, starting in 2008 with the game between the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers.

The 2008 season will also see the first regular season game played in Canada where the Buffalo Bills will take on the Miami Dolphins in Toronto, also part of the International Series.