The possibility of hosting the Super Bowl in London is a topic of discussion every now and then. This idea arises when the NFL plans to play a game in London, hoping to generate local interest and coverage. Recently, London’s mayor expressed his desire to host the Super Bowl as well as other international events, emphasizing the importance of American sports fans in Europe coming to London for these games.
While hosting a Super Bowl in London presents challenges, it also offers potential benefits. One major challenge is the time difference. The game typically starts at 6:30 p.m. ET, which is 11:30 p.m. in London. With the game lasting four hours, it would be unusual to have Wembley Stadium filled with fans until 3:30 a.m. local time.
Another challenge is that many American fans may perceive a London Super Bowl as an excessive attempt to globalize the game, considering it a quintessentially American event, unlike the Olympics or the World Cup.
Despite these challenges, hosting a Super Bowl in London could attract a wider international audience and bring economic benefits to both Europe and America.
Ultimately, whether or not hosting a Super Bowl in London would be justified depends on weighing the costs and benefits of making it happen versus its potential impact on both regions.
Hosting a Super Bowl in London would not be an easy task, but it is certainly worth considering as part of ongoing discussions about bringing more international attention to American sports events.
