Spurs bid to host NFL magnum opus Super Bowl

Article posted by Coliseum, February 15^th, 2022

Image: MJR Group Ltd./Coliseum

The Premier League team Tottenham Hotspurs F.C. (UK) have launched an ambitious bid to host the National Football League (NFL) showpiece – the Super Bowl – at their residence – the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – in 2026. However, their ambitious bid for the world showpiece will have to be greenlighted.

The ‘Eurosport’ stated that the North London club already have a £40 million staging contract in place with the NFL which sees their stadium hold two regular-season matches every year. But, if at all the NFL showcase is held, it would take the relationship to a new level and would be the Super Bowl’s first-ever overseas venture.

The Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, commonly referred to as Tottenham or Spurs, is an English professional football club based in Tottenham, London (UK), which competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English football.

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The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the home of the Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in North London, replacing the club’s previous stadium, White Hart Lane. With a seating capacity of 62,850, it is the third-largest football stadium in England and the largest club stadium in London (UK).

The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference and the American Football Conference.

The Super Bowl is the annual playoff championship game of the National Football League (NFL). It has served as the final game of every NFL season since 1966, replacing the NFL Championship Game.

The ‘Eurosport’ further stated that and it’s no formality, with the biggest sticking point likely to be around the time of day the event happens.

With kick-off needing to be very late into the UK night to suit the American viewing audience, Spurs would likely have to clear its viability with the Haringey Council in Greater London, England. And with the stadium being in such a densely populated area of North London, there would certainly be considerations around disturbances and the provision of transport.

If the Super Bowl does come to the United Kingdom, then it would be the first time that the blue riband match has left the United States in its history.

With the next four Super Bowls already agreed within venues in the US, the earliest it could happen is 2026. The Super Bowl LVI was just held at the 70,240-capacity SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 13^th, 2022. The Cincinnati Bengals was trounced 23-20 by the Los Angeles Rams. The 63,400-capacity State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, will serve as the host of the Super Bowl LVII to be held on February 12^th, 2023. The 65,000-capacity jaw-dropping Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada will stage Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 and the 74,295-capacity Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, will play host to Super Bowl LIX in 2025.

If the plan to hold the Super Bowl in 2026 was to go ahead, it would be a huge boost to Spurs’ global standing, particularly as they are still aiming to close a naming rights deal for their stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Chairman Daniel Levy is believed to want a sum close to £400 million over 20 years for any partner to get that privilege.

The NFL are believed to be just as keen to explore the potential partnership, which would cement their relationship with Spurs following an initial £10 million payment to cover costs towards the retractable NFL field that lies beneath Spurs’ regular pitch.

Spurs aren’t the only bidders in the hunt for the showpiece however, with the 83,500-capacity Stadium Australia in Sydney also said to be exploring the possibility.

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