UK ambassador Peter Mandelson lobbying for Super Bowl to be played in Britain: 'We love it'
Mandelson said last week he has been lobbying since taking the role in February for the biggest sporting event in the U.S. to be hosted by the U.K.
"I've made a big pitch for the first Super Bowl outside the U.S. to take place in Britain," Mandelson told the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on Thursday, per C-SPAN.
"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."
The audience laughed at Mandelson's remark, but he isn't the only one back in his home country who wants to see the Super Bowl in the U.K.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also called for the Super Bowl to be hosted in his city, which he believes would solidify London as the "sporting capital of the world."
"The Super Bowl is really important for us," Khan said 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 playing regular-season games in London since 2007, beginning with the first official game ever held outside North America. Nearly two decades later, the league continues its international push, which this season includes two games at London's famous Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October.
Since its creation in 1967, the Super Bowl has always remained in the United States. The event is set to be played at the San Francisco 49ers' home, Levi's Stadium, in Santa Clara, Calif., in 2026.
It has also been decided that Super Bowl LXI, to be played in 2027, will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., followed by Super Bowl LXII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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Jones was in the ambulance with Irvin on Oct. 10, 1999, when he was injured in Philadelphia after a tackle. It would be his last play as an NFL receiver, as he was temporarily paralyzed. Irvin officially retired in July of 2000. Irvin said in the series that he would have tried to play again if Johnson were the coach. Just another what-if. (Photo of Jerry Jones and Michael Irvin: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
