How many Britons watch the Super Bowl?

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The Super Bowl is not just an American event anymore. It has become a global phenomenon that is watched and celebrated by people all over the world. The Super Bowl, which is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL), is one of the most-watched television events in the United States, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the game live. But did you know that the Super Bowl is also gaining popularity among Britons?

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the growth in popularity of the Super Bowl among Britons over the past 20 years, as well as the reasons behind this trend and predictions for the future of the NFL in the UK. With NFL regular season games already here to stay and UK fans sharing NFL predictions throughout the year on social media, it looks likely that the popularity of the NFL and the Super Bowl will only increase in the years to come.

Viewership figures over the past 20 years: A steady increase 

American football in the UK has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century. The first recorded game of American football in the UK was played in London in 1926 between two American teams: the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears. The game was played at Twickenham Stadium and was attended by over 70,000 people. 

In the years that followed, American football remained a niche sport in the UK, with only a small number of teams and fans. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, the sport began to grow in popularity, thanks in part due to increased coverage on television. The sport was given a boost in the UK when the NFL started to play regular season games at Wembley Stadium in London, starting in 2007. 

Over the past 20 years, as a result of this growth, the number of Britons tuning in to watch the Super Bowl has steadily increased. According to the NFL, the number of viewers in the UK for the Super Bowl has grown by over 200% in the last two decades. In 2003, an estimated 1.5 million people in the UK watched the Super Bowl, whereas, in 2019, that number had risen to 4.5 million. This growth in viewership has been attributed to several factors, including the increasing availability of live streaming and the growing popularity of American football in the UK in general. 

The reasons behind the growth in popularity 

One of the main reasons for the growth in popularity of the NFL in the UK is the increasing availability of live streaming and view-on-demand options. In the past, viewers in the UK would have to stay up late or set their alarms to catch the Super Bowl live, but now with the advent of live streaming and view-on-demand, it is much more convenient to watch the game at a time that suits them. In addition, social media platforms have also played a role in increasing the popularity of the Super Bowl among Britons, as fans can connect and even watch the game together virtually. 

Another reason for the growing popularity of the NFL in the UK is the increasing popularity of American football as a sport in the country. The sport has been growing in popularity in the UK for several years, with more and more people getting involved in playing, coaching and supporting American football teams. The NFL has also been working to increase the visibility of the sport in the UK, by hosting regular season games in London including at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and working with the British American Football Association to promote the sport at a grassroots level.

If you want to connect with other NFL lovers or find out the best places to watch the NFL in Swindon, make sure you take a look at our sports section regularly for updates and news. 

Predictions for the future of the NFL in the UK 

Looking ahead, it is likely that the popularity of the Super Bowl and the NFL in the UK will continue to grow in the coming years. With more live streaming options becoming available, more people are likely to tune in to watch the big game. Additionally, as the sport of American football continues to grow in popularity in the UK, more people will be exposed to the NFL and the Super Bowl, leading to even more viewers. It's also expected that the NFL will continue to host regular-season games in London and other UK cities, which will help to bring the sport to a wider audience.