Six of the best US holidays for NFL fans
A sea of 84,922 fans piled into Wembley stadium to watch the big game last weekend – not an England friendly or a Spurs match, but an NFL fixture between the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders.
Raucous (yet most family-friendly) fans, cheerleader routines, kiss cams and blasts of hip hop or rock whenever a big play is made mean the NFL’s London fixtures (ongoing since 2007) offer plenty of spectacle for non-sports fans. And don’t forget Tailgating, the pre-game parties where people drink beer and fill their stomachs with barbeque and snacks (traditionally around the tailgate of a vehicle) ready for the three-plus hours of play.
But if you’d like to see a game played in a US setting, the home cities of the teams visiting London provide plenty of travel inspiration. Here are six places where you could catch an American football game (this year the season began in September and ends in February with the Superbowl) – and plenty else besides:
Seattle (Seattle Seahawks)
Tour: As well as behind-the-scenes access, a CenturyLink Stadium tour offers views of the Olympic Mountains rising 7,962ft to the west. Tours run three times a day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except on game days) from September to May and every day from May to August ($14/￡10.63 for adults; $8/6 for children).
Club traditions: The Seahawks have fought the Kansas Chiefs for the Guinness World Record title for the loudest fans – prepare to be hoarse after game day.
Eat like a local: Try a Seattle dog – topped with cream cheese and grilled onion.
Don’t miss: Stroll around the iconic Pike Place market – and drop into the first Starbucks for a photo opp. If you’ve got a half a day spare head to Chihuly Garden and Glass to be dazzled by the work of blown glass artist Dale Chihuly, open between 10am and 6/7pm most days ($26/￡19.75 adults; $17/￡12.91 age 5-12, under 12s go free).
Trivia: Seattle wasn't the first to use the name "seahawks"; it was first taken up by a now defunct Miami team.
Oakland (Oakland Raiders)
Tour: Home to both the Oakland Raiders (football) and the Oakland Athletics (baseball), the former played their first game at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum in 1966 (tours start at ￡15.20 and book up to 30 days in advance).
Club traditions: Keen on fancy dress? You’ll be in your element at a Raiders match. The fans are renowned for their outfits – the wackier the better – in order to intimidate the opposing team.
Eat like a local: A shrimp-based snack goes down well here; try an empanada or tostada.
Don’t miss: Oakland Museum of California covers art, history and natural sciences while Jack London Square hosts plenty of events and boasts lots of food options, from Thai to steak.
Trivia: The plan is to move the team to Las Vegas for the 2020 season (much to the fans’ annoyance), so head to the Raiders’ current home while you can.
Nashville (Tennessee Titans)
Tour: Soak up some Southern spirit on an Old Town trolley (tram) tour, which includes a stop at the Nissan Stadium (which doesn’t offer dedicated tours).
Club traditions: They hold a mascot race at the two-minute warning of the first half.
Eat like a local: Try a pulled pork sandwich with Southern sides like collard greens.
Don't miss: Musical attractions including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium.
Trivia: The team used to be based in Houston, and called the Oilers.
Los Angeles (Los Angeles Chargers)
Tour: For now they are at the StubHub Center (which doesn’t offer tours), also home to LA Galaxy (soccer). If you’re booking far ahead, you should watch out for tickets to see them play at the new LA Stadium (from 2020).
Club traditions: A novel addition to Chargers games last year was a sideline bugler.
Eat like a local: Hark back to the team’s San Diego days by picking up some carne asada fries (a dish with grilled and sliced beef associated with the Southern California city).
Don't miss: Hit the surf or simply watch the locals go by on the Venice Beach boardwalk. Or for panoramic views across the city head to the Griffith Observatory or Getty Villa and Getty Center.
Trivia: The team spent 56 years away from LA in San Diego, until returning in 2017.
Philadelphia (Philadelphia Eagles)
Tour: Lincoln Financial Field – referred to locally as The Linc – offers public tours most days starting at 2pm (adults $10/￡7.60; children $8/￡6.08).
Club traditions: The fans are known for frequently breaking out in the victory song “Fly Eagles, Fly” – at only 11 lines long, you shouldn’t struggle to learn it before the game.
Eat like a local: Most will have heard of the Philly cheesesteak, a sandwich made from sliced beef and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll.
Don't miss: Run up the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and pose beside the Rocky statue or delve into mob history with a stop at Al Capone’s cell at the Eastern State Penitentiary.
Trivia: Eagles fans had a cameo role in the film Silver Linings Playbook, which starred Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper.
Jacksonville (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Tour: Tours of TIAA Bank Field are generally available on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (adults $15/￡11.39; children $7/￡5.32).
Club traditions: Shouting “Duval” (the county where Jacksonville is based) throughout a game.
Eat like a local: Teal (one of the club’s colours) ice cream served in a mini Jaguars helmet.
Don't miss: Swimming or surfing at Jacksonville Beach or Neptune Beach.
Trivia: The team’s owner, Shahid Khan (who also owns Fulham football club) recently made a $600 million bid to buy Wembley Stadium.
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