NY Giants, Miami Dolphins to play in London

**Justinian** · February 10, 2007, 10:52 PM

The Giants and the Dolphins will play a game in London (England!), at Wembley Stadium, this October. Apparently the demand for tickets is already massively beyond what was expected.

http://www.giants.com/news/press_rel...story_id=24341

At least 160,000 fans requested half a million tickets to the NFL’s first overseas regular-season game next October 28 at Wembley Stadium in London, England between the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants.

"This is an overwhelming response and endorsement of the NFL's decision to play the first regular- season game outside North America in London,” said ALISTAIR KIRKWOOD, managing director of NFL United Kingdom. “Nearly all these requests have come from UK-based fans. These figures do not take into account the allocation of tickets for Dolphins and Giants fans from the United States. We anticipate a quick sellout when tickets go on sale in early March.”

I never thought American football really had a chance in Europe. But this seems different ... plus Super Bowl XLI seems to have been popular, and they showed a broadcast of the Pro Bowl in Japan and other places. This raises the question, is American football starting to spread to other nations where it's never been popular?

**Nihil** · February 11, 2007, 07:04 AM

I want to go, but it looks like I'd better secure a ticket soon.

**Justinian** · February 11, 2007, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Nihil

I want to go, but it looks like I'd better secure a ticket soon.

Take some pictures and root for Big Blue, that's my team yo!

**Nihil** · February 11, 2007, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Justy

Take some pictures and root for Big Blue, that's my team yo!

No Tiki will be a cause for sadness, however.

I would love to go to the game, we'll see if I can make it.

**Justinian** · February 11, 2007, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Nihil

No Tiki will be a cause for sadness, however.

I would love to go to the game, we'll see if I can make it.

Yeah, it made the Pro Bowl hard to watch ... I just can't believe he's gone.

We'll see how NY can do without him, but I fear, not terribly well.

I better hurry up and buy a #21 jersey before they go up in price...

**-Conan the Barbarian-** · February 11, 2007, 12:46 PM

lol the Dolphins. If only they could win. Its cool that they will be playing in England.

**Nihil** · February 11, 2007, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Justinian

Yeah, it made the Pro Bowl hard to watch ... I just can't believe he's gone.

We'll see how NY can do without him, but I fear, not terribly well.

I better hurry up and buy a #21 jersey before they go up in price...

And how many years do you think Strahan has in him? The future looks dark for the blue guys.

**Centurion-Lucius-Vorenus** · February 18, 2007, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Justinian

Take some pictures and root for Big Blue, that's my team yo!

Giants all the way, Im a fellow fan myself,

**the_mango55** · February 11, 2007, 12:35 PM

I don't think it has enough popularity to support a team, but for one or 2 out of country games per year, I think there is plenty of support. Remember last year the game in Mexico was the highest attendance ever at an NFL game.

**Ó Cathasaigh** · February 11, 2007, 02:01 PM

This seems awefully interesting.

Too bad I don't like either team though.

A better matchup would be the TItans and teh Steelers.

I'd sell my testies for a chance to go see that.

**Last Roman** · February 14, 2007, 09:56 AM

will there be (american) football hooligans I wonder...

**Kretchfoop** · February 14, 2007, 03:38 PM

Interesting, I know the NFL has played at least one preseason game in Japan before. My Vikings (yes I am a Vikings fan, unfortunately) played... the Cowboys... maybe... there a few years ago. I'm not sure how they did though with selling tickets and getting exposure and stuff.

**Last Roman** · February 14, 2007, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Kretchfoop

My Vikings (yes I am a Vikings fan, unfortunately)

I know your pain

**Kretchfoop** · February 15, 2007, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Last Roman

I know your pain

*shudders*

I still have nightmares from this little incident:

The Vikings and Falcons are tied at 27 in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 17, 1999. Vikings ball, 30 seconds on the clock, third-and-three on their own 30 yard line. Minnesota still has two timeouts remaining, Falcons have none. Vikings have the most explosive offensive in NFL history. But Green decides to play it safe, and runs out the clock. He's got Randall Cunningham at QB, Randy Moss at wideout, and a pretty good chance to get the NFL's best placekicker a shot at a game-winner. But instead, Green orders Cunningham to take a knee, hoping the Vikes will get the coin flip in OT. They do win the flip, but Atlanta scores first and wins, 30-27.

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/worstdecisions.html

A little excerpt from ESPN.com that sums it up nicely i think.

**DimondLight** · February 23, 2007, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Kretchfoop

Interesting, I know the NFL has played at least one preseason game in Japan before. My Vikings (yes I am a Vikings fan, unfortunately) played... the Cowboys... maybe... there a few years ago. I'm not sure how they did though with selling tickets and getting exposure and stuff.

I'm a Lions fan...enough said.

**JP226** · February 23, 2007, 02:03 PM

I thought it was it was suppose to be the broncos and another team?

**NaptownKnight** · February 24, 2007, 08:56 AM

Its too bad real football teams like the colts aren't playing. They would really draw attendance and excite everyone their. How about a Colts-Pats game out of county, thats the fiercest rivalry in the NFL.

**Kscott** · February 25, 2007, 07:33 PM

Well i've been told a lot of Europeans like American Football, they just don't have competitive local teams that are fun to watch. Same with Soccer in America. Both sports can be universally liked, its just people will prefer something they can see at a local level.