The NFL isn't just going to continue playing games overseas, they're doing everything they can to expand their presence there. The league announced on Tuesday that they had reached a three-year agreement with the Rugby Football Union to play three regular-season games at Twickenham Stadium at some point over the next three years.
The league also has the option to stage two additional games if they so choose over that period.
"We are committed to continuing to grow our sport in the UK and believe that adding Twickenham Stadium to our roster of host venues in London is further evidence of that commitment," said Mark Waller, the NFL executive vice president of international interests. "We are very excited to give our fans the opportunity to enjoy NFL action at another world-class venue famous for attracting loyal and passionate fans from across the globe."
This is the NFL's first deal with the RFU. The league has already played 14 games overseas this season and recently extended their agreement to play in London's Wembley Stadium - a minimum of two games per year through 2020 - and earlier this season came together with Tottenham Hotspur on a deal for two games per season, starting in 2018.
Waller, who is a Hotspur fan, has said in the past that the league believes the game's future lies in international markets.
"But what we're really trying to accomplish is build the popularity and the fan base of the sport on an ongoing basis," Waller told The Washington Times in 2014. "And so the approach that we've taken is a focus on 'Let's build out this, let's see how many people love the game, see how much love they have.'
"So we've been very deliberate in not going to other markets to focus the resource against proving out how much can we grow the game in the U.K."
It remains to be seen what teams will be chosen for overseas action, though with the increasing slate of games it seems only a matter of time before every team - not just the Jacksonville Jaguars. who have a two-year commitment to the United Kingdom - will be making the long trek to the UK.
