Peter Mandelson Makes Case for Historic Move
On August 15, 2025, the British ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, publicly pushed for a landmark moment in American sports history: the staging of a London Super Bowl in Britain. Speaking at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Mandelson declared, “I want that Super Bowl in Britain. I don’t care when it takes place, but I want it announced while I am ambassador.” His light-hearted yet serious appeal was met with both laughter and applause.
The proposal adds fuel to an ongoing debate about whether the NFL’s biggest spectacle could one day take place outside its American roots. Since its launch in 1967, the Super Bowl has been exclusively played in the U.S., making Mandelson’s request both ambitious and unprecedented.
Why Britain Is Being Considered
NFL’s Strong Track Record in London
The U.K. has already proven its ability to host large-scale American football events. Since 2007, the NFL International Series has brought regular-season games to Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Each game generates significant economic benefits, with reports estimating more than £40 million per contest and over £300 million a year for London’s economy. This record strengthens London’s argument as a suitable venue for a global event like the London Super Bowl.
London’s Global Sporting Reputation
London has positioned itself as a hub for major international events. The city has hosted the Olympics, FIFA tournaments, and high-profile boxing and tennis matches. Mayor Sadiq Khan has openly expressed his interest in hosting not only the London Super Bowl but also NBA games and WrestleMania, branding London as the “world’s sporting capital.” This ambition makes the city an appealing partner for the NFL, which continues to expand its reach globally.
Infrastructure and Fan Base
Industry observers point to London’s stadium quality, organizational capability, and global fan enthusiasm as key assets. Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has praised the passion of London’s NFL supporters and suggested the city could manage a championship game. While NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that hosting a Super Bowl abroad is not off the table, he has also hinted that it would likely require a permanent NFL franchise in London first.
Potential Obstacles to the Plan
Time Zone Issues
A major complication is scheduling. A traditional 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff in the U.S. would translate to an 11:30 p.m. start in London—an unusually late time for live spectators. Adjusting the start time could solve this, but it would break from the established tradition that American audiences expect.
Absence of a London Franchise
At present, there is no official NFL franchise in the U.K. The league has historically required that a Super Bowl host city also be home to an NFL team. Without such a franchise, officials believe it would be difficult to justify holding the league’s premier game overseas.
Logistical and Commercial Barriers
Beyond timing and franchise requirements, the Super Bowl is a mammoth undertaking. Transportation, security, media, and sponsorship arrangements would need global adjustments. Some sponsors, particularly those without international reach, might hesitate to support a Super Bowl hosted outside the United States. Experts have compared the effort to organizing events on the scale of the Olympic Games.
When Could It Happen?
Current Schedule Set Through 2028
The NFL has already locked in Super Bowl host sites until 2028:
- 2026 – Santa Clara, California
- 2027 – Inglewood, California
- 2028 – Atlanta, Georgia
This means London could not realistically host before Super Bowl LXIII in 2029 at the earliest.
Expanding International Games
In the meantime, the NFL is steadily increasing its international footprint. The 2025 schedule includes regular-season games in Brazil, Spain, Ireland, Germany, and three more in London. These international matchups serve as a testing ground for bigger projects like the Super Bowl.
Would a London Super Bowl Work?
While a Super Bowl in Britain remains unlikely in the immediate future, the momentum is building. London already offers massive stadiums, a well-developed transport system, and a global audience eager to embrace American football. Ambassador Mandelson summed up British enthusiasm best when he told the Chicago audience: “We love it, we love it.”
With the NFL firmly booked in the U.S. until 2028, the earliest opportunity for such a groundbreaking move would be in the next decade. Yet as the league expands its reach and continues testing new markets, Britain appears well-positioned to eventually host one of the most iconic sporting events on the planet.
