Fans and players savour London NFL series opener in Tottenham as Vikings triumph

LONDON – Part of north London became North America on Oct 6, as British National Football League (NFL) fans and even football-mad players enjoyed the first of three mini Super Bowls in the British capital, with the Minnesota Vikings beating the New York Jets 23-17 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In the 37th game in London and ninth at the home of Premier League side Spurs, the Vikings extended their impressive start to the NFL season to five wins from five, while it was a second successive defeat for the Jets.

Tottenham were playing their league match at Brighton & Hove Albion on the same day, when they lost 3-2.

The London series has grown in significance over the past 17 years, especially since it now takes place at the only purpose-built NFL stadium outside of the United States.

Tottenham’s stadium, opened in 2019, has an NFL playing surface underneath its retractable football pitch as well as dedicated locker rooms for players and cheerleaders.

“It was crazier than I thought. I’ve never been here before,” Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard said. “We love it. The support has been amazing. I can’t say enough about everything about this place.

“I’m a big soccer fan, so playing in the stadium, I’m definitely honoured and I’m going to remember this.”

Although the game is a regular-season fixture, the NFL this time brought a beefed up pre-game and half-time show along with enlarged activities around the stadium that fans were enjoying hours before kick-off.

All the classic elements of the American “razzmatazz” were on show, from in-game cheerleading displays at pitchside, to kisscams and free T-shirts being launched into the stands.

Activities and bar takeovers across London also took place in the days leading up to the game, as the league continues to try and cement its place in other cultures.

Perhaps most significant was the fact that unlike in previous years where fans of all NFL teams would be on show, the stadium on Oct 6 was mostly filled with Vikings fans in their purple jerseys, mixed in with a healthy contingent of white-shirted Jets fans.

The Vikings are the seventh-most popular franchise in Britain, according to a recent poll, and the fact so many filled the stadium shows a more dedicated, hardcore following is developing well.

“I think it goes back to the Vikings atmosphere at home,” Vikings linebacker Andrew van Ginkel said. “We kind of got that sense here with the ‘Skol’ chant. It’s the best atmosphere, and when you get a crowd like that going and get them hyped, it’s exciting.”

The standard has been set for when the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Chicago Bears at the same venue on Oct 13. The Jaguars then face New England Patriots at Wembley on Oct 20. REUTERS