American Football has become an increasingly popular spectator sport in the UK. Having first entered the UK consciousness thanks to Channel 4’s coverage in the 1980s, NFL interest experienced a huge surge from the mid-2000s onwards. These days, fans can enjoy more televised games than ever before, in addition to live games on British soil, thanks to the booming NFL International series.
Domestically, the British American Football Association (BAFA) was born amidst the first NFL boom and continues to oversee the British American Football League. The BAFA season typically runs from spring through to summer, culminating in the UK version of the Super Bowl – the BritBowl.
NFL International Series Stadiums
Australia, Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, and Spain have all hosted NFL regular-season games. However, the UK was the first to the party. The first NFL International Series game saw the New York Giants beat the Miami Dolphins 13 – 10 at Wembley Stadium in 2007. Except for the COVID-affected year of 2020, there has been at least one NFL game in the UK each year since, with the following three stadiums setting the stage.
Wembley Stadium
- Capacity – 90,000 full capacity. 86,000 for NFL games
The traditional home of the English national football (soccer) team, Wembley and its famous arch is the most iconic stadium in the country. Staging its first NFL game in 2007, by 2025, Wembley had hosted 20 of the 32 NFL franchises at least once. Wembley has become a second home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who made an 11th appearance at the stadium in 2025.
Twickenham
- Capacity – 82,000 full capacity, 75,000 for NFL games
Among British stadiums, Twickenham lies behind only Wembley in terms of capacity. No stranger to an oval ball, the classically styled venue is the home to the English national rugby union team. Twickenham hosted its first NFL game in 2016 when the Giants beat the Rams 17-10 but was not part of the International Series between 2018 and 2025.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Capacity – 62,850
Built on the site of the old White Hart Lane, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium officially opened in 2019. Since then, the ground has earned universal acclaim as one of the finest sporting facilities in the country. Included among the impressive features is a retractable artificial pitch, ideal for NFL fixtures. The home of Spurs held its 12th NFL game in 2025 and is now established as a fixture of the International Series.
The British American Football Association
Of course, it’s not all about the razzmatazz and millionaire athletes of the NFL. The BAFA League provides an opportunity to enjoy the game at the grassroots level. With 58 teams spread across 12 divisions, the league is more widespread than you might expect. As of 2025, the following 11 teams occupy the Premiership North and Premiership South, which represent the top tier of the game in the UK.
Manchester Titans
- Division – Premiership North
- Home Ground – National Speedway Stadium
- Capacity – 6,500
Opened in 2016, the National Speedway Stadium resides in Gorton, Manchester, only a stone’s throw from the site of the old Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium. As the name suggests, speedway is the main activity at a site which is the home of the Belle Vue Aces and Belle Vue Colts outfits.
Coventry Phoenix
.jpg){kind=link}
- Division – Premiership North
- Home Ground – Butts Park Arena
- Capacity – 5,250
Opening in 2004, Butts Park Arena is best known as the home ground of rugby union side Coventry RFC. In addition to Coventry Phoenix, the United Counties League side Coventry United also play their home games here. The main feature of Butts Park Arena is the 3,000 all-seater Main Stand, which flanks one side of the pitch.
East Kilbride Pirates
- Division – Premiership North
- Home Ground – Braidholm
- Capacity – 1,000
Formed on the back of an advert in the local paper, the East Kilbride Pirates are now the oldest and most successful American Football side in Scotland. While officially based in East Kilbride, the team currently play their home games at the ground of the GHA Rugby Union side in Glasgow.
Nottingham Caesars
- Division – Premiership North
- Home Ground – David Ross Sports Village
- Capacity – 1,600
Formed in 1984 and known as “The Big C” to fans, the Nottingham Caesars are based at the David Ross Sports Village at the University of Nottingham. Caesars’ games take place on an outdoor sports field area rather than in a stadium.
Newcastle Vikings
- Division – Premiership North
- Home Ground – Druid Park
- Capacity – 2,500
This northeast side suits up at Druid Park in Woolsington, not far from Newcastle airport. Three sides of the ground consist of little more than a white railing, but there is a small, covered stand to protect viewers from the elements. The Vikings currently share the ground with the recently formed Great Park FC football team.
London Warriors
- Division – Premiership South
- Home Ground – Greenwich University Avery Hill Campus
- Capacity – ~500
Formerly based at the Frant Road ground of Streatham-Croydon RFC, the London Warriors now play at the Greenwich University campus. In common with the Nottingham Caesars, Warriors games take place on a field surrounded by fans, not in a stadium.
Bristol Aztecs
- Division – Premiership South
- Home Ground – Shaftesbury Park
- Capacity – 2,000
The only Premiership team in the southwest beat the London Warriors 27-24 in the 2025 BritBowl. The Aztecs play their home games at Shaftesbury Park, which also hosts Dings Crusaders RFC, the Bristol Bears Women’s rugby team, and Bristol Hornets Korfball Club.
London Blitz
- Division – Premiership South
- Home Ground – Finsbury Park
- Capacity – ~500-1,000
Formed in 1995, London Blitz lifted the BritBowl trophy five times between 2007 and 2012. They play their home games on the field within the athletics track in Finsbury Park. Adding to the US sports theme, the London Mets baseball and softball teams use parts of Finsbury Park for their games.
Rushmoor Knights
- Division – Premiership South
- Home Ground – King George V Playing Fields
- Capacity – ~500 – 1,000
The Rushmoor Knights were founded in 1985 and boast a thriving youth and senior setup. However, they do not yet have a stadium and currently play their home games in the King George V Playing Fields in Farnborough.
Hertfordshire Cheetahs
- Division – Premiership South
- Home Ground – Sun Postal Sports & Social Club
- Capacity – ~500 – 1,000
Founded as the Chiltern Cheetahs in 1986, this Watford-based team changed their name to the Watford Cheetahs in 2008. The latest rebrand came in 2015 and expresses the team’s desire to represent the wider Hertfordshire area. Lacking a stadium, the Cheetahs play at the Sun Postal Sports & Social Club.
Cambridgeshire Cats
- Division – Premiership South
- Home Ground – The Davey Field
- Capacity – ~500-1,000
Formed in 1984, the Cambridgeshire Cats are one of the longest-running American Football teams in the UK. Formerly known as the Cambridge County Cats, Cambridge Crunchers, and Cambridge Wildcats, the team has a loyal following but has yet to make it to the BritBowl. Cats’ home games take place on The Davey Field, which is also used by Shelford Rugby Club.