The NFL is set to kick off another year of their “International Series,” with the first game coming this Sunday between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons, where they will play at Wembley Stadium in London.
Every year since 2007, the NFL schedules teams to play overseas and outside of the United States, with the goal being to continue to grow the game’s popularity beyond just the USA and into other countries and other markets.
Over the years, the one team that has seemed to be a constant participant in the London game has been the Jaguars. Let’s take a closer look at why that is the case.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars Feel Right at Home in London
Wembley Stadium has hosted 23 NFL games in London since the league’s international series began in 2007. The Jaguars are no strangers to playing in the venue, taking part in a league-leading nine games in London ahead of Sunday’s 10th contest.
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One may ask why that is. Some may think it is because the Jaguars have a following there — which wasn’t the case until they became regulars in the area — or that the league is thinking of putting a team there permanently and that the Jaguars may be suitors — which is a real possibility.
However, most of the reason is due to the logistics for the team’s owner Shahid Khan. Khan is the owner of Fulham F.C., a soccer club in the Premier League located in London, making arrangements for his two teams to be in the same city at least once a season convenient for the owner.
Logistically, to have a team play across the pond takes a lot of time, effort, and planning. It takes willing participants to make something happen. While most of the league does not seem to be eager to lose a home game or play in a different country that messes with their regimented schedule, the Jaguars ownership was happy to oblige.
Will the Jaguars Relocate to London?
While it is certainly a possibility, and the league itself has not ruled out the chance of a team being based overseas in the future, there is nothing imminent at this time to say that the Jaguars would make that move.
If the move in the coming years were to happen, the NFL has a clear front-runner for who may be the easy first choice to do so.