Why Do the Jacksonville Jaguars Play in London?

By Robert Palmer

The Jacksonville Jaguars are an American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. However, they have been playing games in London, England since 2013. This may seem like an odd choice for a team that is based in the United States, so let’s take a look at why the Jacksonville Jaguars play in London.

Background Information

The NFL has been trying to expand its reach beyond North America for many years. The league has played regular-season games in Mexico City and Tokyo, but its most significant effort has been in London. The NFL started playing regular-season games in London back in 2007 to see if there was an interest from British fans.

The Jaguars’ Connection to London

The Jacksonville Jaguars were not the first team to play a game in London, but they are the only team to have a long-term agreement to play games there. The owner of the Jaguars, Shahid Khan, is also the owner of Fulham FC, a soccer team that plays in the English Premier League.

Khan’s connection to London made it easier for the Jaguars to become involved with playing games there. In addition, Khan saw an opportunity to expand his brand and increase revenue by playing games overseas.

The Benefits of Playing Games in London

Playing games overseas provides multiple benefits for teams and the league as a whole. For teams like the Jaguars that struggle with attendance at home games, playing one or two games overseas can increase revenue and exposure. It also provides an opportunity for players and coaches to experience different cultures and travel internationally.

For the NFL as a whole, playing games overseas helps grow its brand globally. The league has been trying to expand into international markets for many years now, and playing games overseas is one way they can do that.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several reasons why the Jacksonville Jaguars play games in London. Owner Shahid Khan’s connection to the city, the opportunity to expand the team’s brand and increase revenue, and the benefits of playing games overseas all play a role in the decision.

The NFL as a whole also benefits from playing games in London as it helps grow the league’s brand globally. It will be interesting to see if other teams follow suit and start playing games overseas in the future.