NFL Fever in London: The Minnesota Vikings Defeat the New York Jets

Parts of North London transformed into North America on Sunday, as British NFL fans and football enthusiasts celebrated the first of three mini-Super Bowls. At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings triumphed with a 23-17 victory over the New York Jets. This match was the 37th game in London and the ninth at the stadium of the Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur. The Vikings continued their impressive winning streak, now having five wins in five games, while the Jets looked back on their second consecutive defeat. The significance of the London series has greatly increased over the past 17 years, mainly because it takes place in the only stadium outside the USA built for the NFL. The Tottenham Stadium, opened in 2019, features a football field underneath the retractable soccer pitch, as well as specially designed locker rooms. The historical football tradition of Tottenham, founded in 1882, also left a lasting impression on the players. NFL games in London have now become a spectacle in their own right. On Sunday, fans were treated to an enhanced pre-game and halftime program, along with numerous activities around the stadium to heighten the day's experience. The typical American flair was enriched with cheerleader performances, kiss cams, and T-shirts being launched into the crowd. In the days leading up to the game, various bars in the capital were taken over, as the league strives to extend its cultural influence. Notably, there was a strong presence of Vikings fans in the stadium, who appeared in their characteristic purple jerseys, highlighting a growing fan base in the UK. Next week, the same stadium will again host an NFL game when the Jacksonville Jaguars face the Chicago Bears, followed by a Jaguars match against the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on October 20th.