UK Ambassador Pushes for Super Bowl to be Held in Britain
UPDATE: In a bold move to bring the Super Bowl to the U.K., Peter Mandelson, the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the U.S., is actively lobbying for the prestigious event to be hosted across the pond. During his remarks at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on February 16, 2025, Mandelson declared, “I’ve made a big pitch for the first Super Bowl outside the U.S. to take place in Britain,” according to C-SPAN.
Mandelson expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I want that Super Bowl in Britain. I don’t care when it takes place, but I want it announced during my time as ambassador. We love it, we love it.” His comments were met with laughter from the audience, but the sentiment is echoed by others back home, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who believes hosting the event would solidify London as the “sporting capital of the world.”
WHY IT MATTERS: The Super Bowl is not just a game; it represents a cultural phenomenon that attracts millions of viewers globally. For the U.K., hosting this iconic event would boost tourism and significantly enhance the nation’s profile in international sports. Khan emphasized the importance, stating last year, “We have a number of American football games, and I want it to come here because we want American sports fans in Europe to come to London to watch them, not just go to America.”
The NFL has been expanding its presence in the U.K. since 2007, with regular-season games played at venues like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This season, the NFL continues its international push with two games scheduled in London. However, the Super Bowl has remained a U.S.-exclusive event since its inception in 1967.
Looking ahead, the Super Bowl is set to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in 2026, followed by SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, for Super Bowl LXI in 2027. Despite this, the conversation around hosting the Super Bowl in London is gaining traction and may influence future discussions on the event’s international expansion.
NEXT STEPS: As Mandelson and Khan push for this historic change, the NFL’s response will be critical. Will the league consider London as a viable option for the Super Bowl, or will it remain a U.S.-centric event? Fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely as this story develops.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting possibility as the U.K. makes its case for the biggest game in American football.
