Will the Packers Ever Play in London?

By Anna Duncan

The Green Bay Packers are one of the most iconic teams in NFL history. With a rich legacy and a massive fan following, there has been a lot of speculation about the team playing in London. While there has been no official announcement yet, let’s explore the possibilities.

Background

The NFL has been actively promoting American Football in London for over a decade now. The league started hosting regular-season games in London back in 2007, and since then, the popularity of the sport has skyrocketed in the UK. Over the years, several teams have played games in London, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots.

The Packers’ Stance

The Packers have always been one of the most popular teams in the league. However, when it comes to playing overseas games, they have been reluctant.

In fact, back in 2016 when there were rumors about them playing in China, team president Mark Murphy was quick to reject them. In an interview with ESPN.com he said “I don’t see China on our horizon anytime soon.”

Reasons why Packers haven’t played overseas yet

There could be multiple reasons why the Packers haven’t played an overseas game yet:

  • The team’s ownership structure: The Packers are community-owned and operated by a board of directors elected by shareholders every year at their annual meeting. This unique ownership structure could make it harder for them to make big decisions like playing overseas.
  • The team’s fan base: The Packers have one of the most passionate fan bases in all sports.

    A lot of these fans travel from all over Wisconsin and beyond to attend home games at Lambeau Field.

  • The team’s schedule: The NFL season is short and intense with only 16 regular-season games per team. Playing an overseas game would disrupt the team’s schedule and could cause fatigue or injuries to the players.

Will the Packers ever play in London?

Despite the above-mentioned factors, there is still a possibility that the Packers may play in London someday. In fact, back in 2019, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his desire to have all teams play an overseas game at least once over the next few years. If this comes to fruition, it’s likely that we’ll see the Packers playing in London.

Packers Fans’ Reaction

If and when the Packers do play in London, it will undoubtedly be a historic event for both fans of American football and fans of the team. However, there may be some mixed reactions from Packers fans who are known for their loyalty to their home team. Some might argue that playing overseas is not worth disrupting their schedule or risking injuries to players.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there has been no official announcement about the Packers playing in London yet, it’s still a possibility considering the NFL’s efforts to promote American football globally. Whether or not they do play overseas someday, one thing is for sure – The Green Bay Packers will always be one of the most beloved teams in NFL history.