We have already borne witness to the dedication and opening of Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium and the first football matches within. It’s a stadium that cost £1bn to construct and looks every bit as gorgeous as what you’d expect.
But what we haven’t really seen yet are the special facilities specific to the National Football League. Until now! Spurs have a ten year partnership with the NFL wherein they will play at least two gridiron games in London at the new ground, and there are dedicated facilities, including locker rooms, physio spaces, and (yes) an artificial turf playing surface just for American football.
The stadium is in “NFL mode” right now as Spurs and the league hosts tryouts for the NFL Academy, giving London-based kids and young men with an interest in the NFL an opportunity to gain an education, train and play gridiron ball, and possibly earn a football scholarship to an American college. You’ve probably seen some of the pictures online already. What you may not have seen is this video from ESPN, which gives you a behind-the-scenes look at some of these areas. And they’re pretty darn cool.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium’s ability to host not only football but NFL matches as well as concerts and other events makes it a cash cow for Spurs, increasing their revenue stream and allowing them to pay the dang thing off all the quicker. NFL games means more, different butts in the stadium, which means lots of money and exposure, and some of those NFL fans might just come back for a Spurs game if they can get tickets. It’s a good thing for everyone.
The two NFL London Series matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will feature the Chicago Bears vs. Oakland Raiders on Sun. October 6, and the Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sun. October 13.