NFL returns to London with two matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October

The NFL has announced plans to return to London this October with two games scheduled to be played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Atlanta Falcons will host the New York Jets on October 10 with the Jacksonville Jaguars to face the Miami Dolphins a week later.

The coronavirus pandemic meant last year was the first since 2007 that there was no NFL game in the capital, but the league has worked with the UK Government to enable a return this year, subject to the situation continuing to improve.

The NFL has plans to return to London with two games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

‘We are excited to be returning to London and welcoming back our fans for two great match-ups,’ said the NFL’s executive vice-president Christopher Halpin. ‘We expect these games to be a celebration of our sport and our robust UK fan base.

‘We have been working closely with the UK Government, the city of London and the relevant health organisations over the past year in planning the games.

‘Through their successful vaccine rollout and commitment to bringing crowds back to sports events, the time is right for the return of NFL football this fall.

‘We will continue to monitor the Covid environment, putting health and safety first, and will adhere to any and all future Covid regulations and restrictions.’

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the NFL’s decision to return was an endorsement of the UK’s handling of the pandemic.

‘The NFL has become a regular fixture in the UK’s brilliant sporting calendar and I’m delighted to welcome the League back to London for another season,’ he said.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium first hosted a match in 2019 and will host two games in 2021

‘This is a major vote of confidence in our country’s progress to bring coronavirus under control and our ability to stage major sporting events safely.

‘Our Events Research Programme is playing an important role in testing the safe return of fans and will inform our decision-making on getting people back watching live sport again safely in greater numbers.’

London has hosted 28 NFL games since 2007, with the city becoming a second home to the Jaguars, who will be playing their eighth game in the capital, while the Dolphins return for a fifth time.