NFL Games in London: What You Must Know Before You Go
You can spend thousands of dollars travelling to the NFL Games in London and still miss nearly the first quarter because of something as simple as your handbag.
I know because I did it.
At my first NFL game in London, I spent almost two hours trying to get into Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. I had made what seemed like a reasonable decision: I had checked the stadium’s information about bags before I left.
The problem? I had checked the stadium’s general bag policy instead of the NFL’s specific policy for the game.
I spoke to roughly a dozen security staff trying to work out what I could do. At one point, the NFL bag check queue was still estimated to be around 45 minutes, even after kickoff.
Eventually, I bought a clear NFL bag from the shop outside the stadium and managed to get my belongings inside. By the time I finally made it through the gates, the game was nearly into the second quarter.
That is not how I recommend starting an NFL game in London.
As an American living in London since 2013, I’ve learned that some of the things that seem obvious to people who live here aren’t necessarily obvious when you’re visiting. And an NFL game has a few of its own rules that you must know before you head to a stadium.
1. How Do You Get to an NFL Game in London?
Getting to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is one of the biggest questions I hear about NFL games in London. And there isn’t one route that works best for everyone.
The stadium is served by several train stations but your best option depends on where you’re staying and how much walking you’re interested in doing.
Sunny’s Solution
Don’t choose your hotel based on the stadium location. Opt for a hotel in Central London (see map below) and just be ready to travel on game day, rather than every other day you are here.
Hotels
If you haven’t booked your hotel yet for your London trip, here’s an interactive map to get you started! It’s based on the most central location in town.
Seven Sisters is one of the most popular options. It is on the Victoria line, which makes it particularly useful if you’re staying in central London. From there, expect roughly a 30-minute walk to the stadium.
White Hart Lane is much closer, at about a five-minute walk, but it is on the London Overground. That doesn’t necessarily make it the easiest choice if you’re staying in central London.
There is also Tottenham Hale, which is served by the Victoria line and National Rail, although it involves a longer walk to the stadium.
On NFL gamedays, there are also free shuttle buses connecting the stadium with Wood Green and Alexandra Palace. These can be particularly useful when you’re leaving the game and trying to spread out from the biggest crowds. The shuttle is free. However, you need to register via the stadium’s page and have the appropriate ticket for the service.
I actually used an Uber to get to my game and deliberately tried the free shuttle on the way back so I could tell you what that experience was like. I left with about 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, was on the second shuttle and had no trouble continuing my journey from Wood Green on the Piccadilly line. Albeit, I was heading away from Central London. You’ll likely want to go East.
Sunny’s London Trip Tip
There are many hotels in London I recommend that are near train stations with great transport links around town.
If you want to use an Uber, be aware that you can’t simply expect to be picked up directly outside the stadium after the game. Event-day road closures mean private hire vehicles need to pick up and drop off some distance away. My Uber driver indicated that booking roundtrip in the morning is a great way to avoid rate hikes near the end of the game. And, they’ll give you a pick up location.
One thing I would absolutely do is decide how you’re getting home before the game starts. The journey back can be more complicated than the journey there because thousands of people are leaving at the same time.
2. What Can You Bring to an NFL Game in London?
Don’t repeat my mistake.
NFL London Games have a specific clear bag policy. The NFL currently permits CLEAR bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, or approximately 30.5 x 15.25 x 30.5cm. Bags are inspected at security and bags that don’t meet the NFL requirements will not be permitted inside. Trust me.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has its own general bag information, which is exactly where I went wrong. The stadium itself now specifically tells visitors attending NFL London Games to check the event-specific NFL policy instead. I missed that bit.
The easiest option is to bring as little as possible. If you need a bag, make sure it meets the NFL’s rules for your particular game before leaving your hotel or packing for your London trip.
And don’t count on simply leaving an unsuitable bag somewhere when you arrive. The NFL strongly encourages fans not to bring bags at all and prohibited bags will not be allowed into the stadium.
I was fortunate that I found a solution. You may not be.
Sunny’s London Trip Tip
There are several items specific to London that I recommend you have before you arrive from the United States.
3. What Should You Wear to NFL Games in London?
This is another question I get from visitors because the London games aren’t quite the same as going to an NFL game in the United States.
It’s like a bag of Skittles inside. Many British people wear jerseys for teams they love, regardless of who is playing. That’s a wild concept to Americans who go to their home team or favourite team’s games.
You’ll see fans supporting teams from all over the league, not just the two teams playing that day. Wear what you want. BUT note, this does NOT apply for ‘football’ games (soccer to Americans) in England. The lines are so distinct, fans actually are made to in sections for the team they support.
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and think about what you’ll be doing before and after the game (which shouldn’t be much!). You may be walking to the stadium, standing in queues and using public transport rather than simply going from a car park to your seat.
4. What Is an NFL Game in London Actually Like?
If you’ve only been to NFL games in the United States, the atmosphere in London will feel different.
There is plenty of enthusiasm but the crowd is a mix of serious NFL fans, British fans, American visitors and people who simply thought attending an NFL game in London would be a fun experience.
A few energetic Americans tried to start the ‘wave’ sitting near us. It was a nice attempt but never made beyond about 75 people.
Don’t Expect an American-Style Tailgate
There is a pre-game atmosphere. But it isn’t the same as arriving at an NFL stadium in the United States and spending hours at a traditional tailgate.
The NFL’s current gameday guidance encourages fans to arrive early for the atmosphere, entertainment, food and drink around the stadium. But it specifically notes that there is no traditional tailgate at the London games.
So if you’re travelling to London expecting the exact same experience you would have at a game back home, let it go.
5. When Should You Buy Tickets?
If the NFL game is one of the main reasons you’re travelling to London, I wouldn’t build your entire trip around the possibility of finding a last-minute bargain.
If you’re travelling internationally specifically for the game, booking earlier gives you more choice over seats and lets you build your hotel and London plans around a fixed date.
But if you’re already in the UK, have flexible plans or don’t care exactly where you sit, it can be worth watching ticket availability closer to the game. I’ve seen ticket prices change as gameday approaches, so I wouldn’t automatically assume that buying as early as possible will always get you the lowest possible price.
The important question is how important is the game to your trip?
If missing the game would ruin your London plans, don’t gamble on last-minute availability. If it’s an extra experience you’re adding to a trip you were already taking, you have more flexibility.
For the current London Games, tickets are digital and are sent to the email address used for the booking, with the NFL advising that they can arrive up to 72 hours before the game.
6. What Else Should You Know Before You Go
The stadium is cashless. So don’t arrive carrying a wad of pounds for purchases inside. Contactless cards and mobile payments are accepted.
You should also make sure your digital ticket is downloaded to your phone before you leave for the stadium. Don’t assume you’ll have perfect mobile service when thousands of people are arriving at the same time. Mine was horrific but eventually I got on to the stadium’s wifi.
And give yourself enough time. The stadium currently opens two hours before kickoff for the London Games, with the NFL recommending that fans arrive early because of enhanced security and pre-game activities.
7. How Do You Fit an NFL Game Into a London Trip?
NFL games in London aren’t just a few hours on your London itinerary. Count on the whole day.
I wouldn’t recommend building a packed sightseeing morning and then expecting to head casually to Tottenham or Wembley Stadium for kickoff. Not going to happen.
This is especially important if you’re visiting London for only three or four days. Devoting a day to an NFL game is a much bigger planning decision when you have a short trip than when you’re staying for a week.
And don’t stay near either stadium. They are not in great areas of London for tourists. An area that works particularly well for first-time visitors is Bloomsbury. You can read why in my Guide to Bloomsbury for Smart Travellers.
8. My Advice for Attending an NFL Game in London
If I were attending an NFL game in London, these are the things I’d make sure I knew before leaving my hotel:
- Check the NFL’s specific bag policy. Don’t rely only on Tottenham Hotspur Stadium’s general rules.
- Plan your route to the stadium. Seven Sisters, White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hale and the shuttle options all have different advantages.
- Have a plan for getting home. The crowds leaving the stadium are part of the experience too.
- Download your digital ticket before you leave.
- Dress for London. You can absolutely wear your favourite NFL jersey, but remember that you’re going to be walking and spending time outside.
- Leave room around the game in your itinerary. Don’t try to squeeze a full day of sightseeing around a fixed sporting event.
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