NFL London Tailgate Party 2018: the ultimate fan experience

Grab NFL London Tailgate Party tickets to get a first-hand look at how Americans celebrate before the start of one of their favourite sporting events. Every week during the fall and winter seasons, Americans wait patiently for Sunday, the day on which most of the 32 National Football League (NFL) teams face off in their bids for Super Bowl glory.

Prior to each NFL London game, fans can take part in an official NFL London Tailgate party, which begins seven hours before kick-off, and features performances and appearances by participating American football teams' cheerleaders and NFL legends. Guests can also nosh on American-style food offered by caterers, and check out interactive attractions before the big game. It's the perfect way to build up to a big London NFL game, so make sure you grab NFL Tailgate Party tickets at StubHub. 

NFL London 2018 fixtures

By the end of last season, 26 teams had played in NFL games in London since the league began holding UK events a decade ago; and in 2018, three more sides will make their UK debuts. The Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans will all play in London for the first time as part of the 2018 NFL International Series.

Seattle Seahawks and LA Raiders kick things off at Wembley on 14 October. The game had been slated to be played at Tottenham Hotspur's new ground, making it the first NFL London match to be played away from its traditional homes of Wembley and Twickenham. However, Spurs - who have a 10-year agreement with the NFL to host at least two matches per year in their yet-to-be-named 60,000-seater stadium - were forced to push back their NFL ambitions after delays finishing the ground. Since, no NFL games will now be played there in 2018, NFL fans can look forward to seeing three fixtures at the new ground in a future year. 

The second match sees the Tennessee Titans lock horns with the LA Chargers on 21 October, before Philadelphia Eagles take on Jacksonville Jaguars a week later, with the latter having the majority of the home support. The Jags have been playing in London since 2013, making them the closest thing the capital has to a home team.

The NFL season culminates in a massive championship match – the Super Bowl – which takes place in February. The annual televised mainstream event usually joins the ranks of the most watched programmes in TV history. The event also incorporates top-tier musicians into the production, and organisers have recruited acts such as Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, The Who and Lady Gaga to sing America's National Anthem or take over the stage for the coveted headlining spot in the Super Bowl half-time show.

NFL London Tailgate Party experience

As in most sports, every NFL franchise team has its own customs, colours and mascots. For example, fans of the Green Bay Packers, one of the NFL's longest-existing football teams, wear large foam hats made to look like Swiss cheese wedges in tribute to the team's dairy-land roots.

Fervid Oakland Raiders supporters make a point to dress like fearsome metal-clad Gothic pirates, and paint their faces in silver and black. Pittsburgh Steelers spectators wave makeshift yellow flags (often handed out at games) called "Terrible Towels." Each team is unique in its fandom, and each has its own traditions. At NFL game tailgate parties, fans can enjoy these customs while noshing on classic American fare, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato crisps and, of course, lots of ice-cold beer.

More about the history of NFL football

The birth of the National Football League as we know it today has roots reaching as far back as 1920, when it was known as the American Professional Football Association with only 10 teams. Two years later, it assumed the National Football League name. In 1960, a rivalling group formed the American Football League. That league found quick success in the United States, and ultimately merged with the NFL, bringing the conjoined league to an eventual total of 32 teams. The game is now perhaps America's most successful and popular professional sport, with the NFL having the highest per-game attendance rate of any domestic professional sport anywhere in the world.

The NFL has hosted games outside of the United States for some time, scheduling matches in London since 2007, and others in Mexico City and Toronto, Canada.

More sports tickets for NFL London Tailgate Party fans

If you've already sorted tickets for an NFL London game, check out other great sporting occasions such as Wimbledon and the Autumn Rugby Internationals.