The Cleveland Browns are taking their game international, slated to host a home match at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the 2025 NFL season. This transatlantic move is part of the league's broader strategy to grow its fan base beyond the American borders, tapping into the U.K.'s burgeoning American football scene. According to WKYC, the COO of Haslam Sports Group, David Jenkins, voiced his enthusiasm, "We're thrilled to be named a designated team for the 2025 NFL London Games, making our second international trip as a club and our first time playing at the incredible Tottenham Hotspur Stadium."
Besides the Browns, the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars have also been confirmed to host games in the U.K. The Jaguars are returning to the familiar turf of Wembley Stadium. In contrast, the Jets will share the Spurs’ state-of-the-art venue with the Browns, who are scheduled to face off against one of their nine home opponents during the traditional London fixture, often held in October. Though the specific date and opponent remain under wraps until the full NFL schedule is released this spring, Cleveland Browns officials announced that the slate of potential adversaries ranges from divisional rivals to conference contenders.
This international game marks the Browns' second NFL International Series appearance since their 2017 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. The NFL International Series, launched in 2007, has successfully imported the full-contact spectacle of American football to an international stage, prompting the NFL to make these games an annual occurrence across various international venues, including Berlin and Madrid, as noted by The Beacon Journal. With the league confirming three London games and fixtures in Germany and Spain, it's leaning heavily toward its global franchise strategy.
Ticketing details for Browns fans and global NFL aficionados will be released in the spring, alongside the full schedule for the 2025 season. Meanwhile, fans eager for updates on the London bout can sign up for alerts at nfl.com/london, ensuring they don't miss a chance to witness the spectacle overseas. The NFL's venturing into international markets is not just for show, as last season's games in Sao Paulo, Munich, and London proved that the league's pull is a growing global affair. And with talks of Dublin possibly joining the lineup, it's clear that American football is settling into a long game on the world stage. If the 2025 London game is anything like the previous showcases, expect an electric atmosphere and, perhaps, an opportunity to capture new hearts for America's beloved gridiron game.
