For fans of American football living in the UK and Europe, 27 October 2012 is a date to mark on the calendar. It's the day two of the top teams in the sport will face off at London's Wembley Stadium in what's set to be one of the must-see events of 2012 in the UK.
Looking for an NFL Wembley package?
Want to get up close to the action? Thomson Sport is a trusted tour operator who can help you book an NFL experience you'll never forget. As official travel partners of the NFL, we offer accommodation and ticket packages that not only get you into Wembley for the game, but also allow you to stay in a fabulous hotel in the heart of the British capital.
What's the NFL International Series?
The NFL International Series first kicked off in 2007 in a match between the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins. It was the first Regular Season game to ever be played outside of North America.
The match was a nail-biter, with a touchdown by quarterback Eli Manning and two field goals from Lawrence Tynes on the NY side. The Miami team responded with a field goal and another touchdown, but it wasn't enough and the game ended in a score of 13-7 to the Giants.
When tickets went on sale for that first International Series showdown at Wembley, the first 40,000 were sold out within 90 minutes. In the end, the match drew a full house with a crowd of 81,176 fans and the popularity of the game helped to ensure that it became an annual event.
Subsequent games were:
- 2008: San Diego Chargers vs New Orleans Saints - the Saints won 37-32
- 2009: New England Patriots vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - the Patriots won 35-7
- 2010: San Francisco 49ers vs Denver Broncos - the 49ers won 26-16
- 2011: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago bears - Bears won 24-18
The International Series is more than just a game of American football, however. It's a celebration of a sport that's loved the world over and makes for an unbeatable experience - so why settle for watching it on TV when you can be right there in the middle of the action?
Fans that attend on 27 October 2012 won't just be American expats and British supporters. People will be seeking NFL Wembley packages from all over Europe and could even show up wearing the jersey of a team that's not competing.
