During an NFL owners’ meeting today, it was announced that the Minnesota Vikings will host the Pittsburg Steelers at London’s Wembley Stadium on September 29, 2013. With a 5:00 p.m. UK kickoff (Noon CT), the Sunday game will be the Vikings first regular season matchup in London and the team’s first appearance in the UK in over 30 years.
“This is a unique opportunity for the Vikings organization to highlight our brand on an international level,” said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. “Playing in London provides exceptional exposure to the team, as well as Minnesota’s impressive business community and tourism industry. We are honored to represent the NFL on a global level, and we look forward to playing in front of our international fan base.”
The team’s last trip abroad was in 1994, a 17-9 exhibition victory over Kansas City in Tokyo.
“This is a great chance to leverage the popularity of the NFL and the Vikings to promote our region as one of the best in the world for business,” said Greater MSP CEO Michael Langley. “Our mission is to promote the Minneapolis-St. Paul region globally, to attract new investment and jobs. We can use the Vikings International Series game as an opportunity to build our region’s brand and to meet with global investors and decision-makers to sell our region and state.”
The game will continue on as part of the NFL’s International Series, in an attempt to showcase American football to the rest of the world. The Jacksonville Jaguars will also host the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on October 27, 2013.
