NFL London: here we come!
Seeing a live NFL game has been on my bucket list for decades. For a guy living in Belgium, where American Football fans are few and far between, that might sound a little strange—but my passion runs deep.
It all started nearly 30 years ago during a semester abroad as an exchange student at Northwest Missouri State University. My time there, from January to May, coincided perfectly with the build-up to the playoffs and the playoffs themselves. Watching the Super Bowl with a host family back then was a truly magnificent experience, and the fire was lit.
The Dedicated Fan from Afar
When I returned home, following the NFL was a struggle. Back then, nothing was televised in Belgium. Over the years, the coverage slowly improved, and now I can watch about three games a week, which is more than enough to satisfy the itch.
And yes, as I get closer to 50, even my Super Bowl ritual has had to adapt. I used to stay up all night, but now I watch until the halftime show, block all internet access the next day, and watch the rest that evening. I know, I know, I'm getting old!
The Unexpected Trip to London
Over the past few years, as my sons have gotten older, their interest has been piqued. Last year, my eldest finally stayed up to watch the Super Bowl with me. And it's actually thanks to him that my three-decade-long dream is finally coming true.
Normally, he asks to go to a football (soccer) match in Spain, like seeing Sevilla play. It usually means a tiring city trip to Malaga and a long drive to the stadium. But this year, he was struggling for a travel idea, so I tossed out a proposal: "How about an NFL game?"
The reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly enthusiastic from both sons. Even my wife was on board, mainly because the game we were looking at was in London!
So, this weekend, we’re hopping on the Eurostar to see the Rams take on the Jaguars at the legendary Wembley Stadium.
The Unconventional Logistics
There is one minor hurdle: the kids have school on Monday. So, for once, they have our permission to play hooky. We’re traveling Sunday morning and coming back Monday evening.
Are we exemplary parents? Absolutely not! But as the saying goes, you only live once, and this is a memory we will all cherish.
I am absolutely thrilled. This trip is more than just checking off a bucket list item; it's a perfect blend of experiences:
- A city trip to London.
- Quality time with the family.
- The thrill of a live NFL game.
- Getting to see the magnificent Wembley.
We're no strangers to big sporting events in London—the last time I was there was for the Olympics, where we saw everything from Bolt on the track to hockey and basketball. We even checked an NBA game off the list way back in 1999.
But an NFL game... live, with my family, after all these years of watching from Belgium? That is truly special.
I'll be sharing a follow-up post soon with all the sights, sounds, and tips from my first-ever, unforgettable NFL experience.
Stay tuned!
I've been to a couple in my life and they are definitely a grand experience. I've been trying to figure out if people over there really care about American Football as much as we seem to think they do, so I appreciate your post, it helps answer that question a bit! Looking forward to hearing all about it!
The one who will be there, for sure do appreciate the NFL, this assumption is based on the ticket prices.
Do you think it's a lot of fans from the UK and Europe or do you think a lot of American fans are just traveling?
No idea.