NFL in London

National Football League in London

NFL Betting

Why do UK sportsbooks suck at NFL?

by

With sports betting exploding around the world, we often get asked ‘what are the best websites for NFL betting’?
Surprisingly, there aren’t very many available to UK fans that actual focus on NFL games, odds and options.
In fact we always find ourselves asking ‘Why do UK sportsbooks suck at NFL’?
There are a few reasons for this, which we will explain, as well as point you in the direction of our Top 3 NFL betting websites. 

Betting Britain

Britain has been betting on sports for decades, so one would assume that the betting product would be sleek, slick and easy to navigate.
Nope.
Betting in Europe is more ‘football focused’ (aka soccer) meaning that many of the betting options and parlays simply aren’t available to the public.
While the NFL betting options accelerated during the 80s’ NFL boom in the UK, it didn’t really translate into dedicated product.
Even as UK sports books increase their offerings in the face of American growth, they still lack the gumption to tailor their products to North American sports. 

Moneyline

One of the biggest issues for NFL betting fans comes down to formatting.
Europe and the UK prefer the use of ‘Decimal Odds’ or 

‘Fractional Odds’ when it comes to setting their weekly lines, whereas North Americans prefer the standard ‘Moneyline.’

For anyone not used to seeing odds formatted in ‘Decimal Odds’ style, it can be a confusing and intimidating style of play.
Many European sports books lazily refuse to add Moneyline odds, which essentially deprives them of a new, hungry audience.
North Americans are new to NFL betting, and intimidating them right off the bat is no way to sign up new customers. 

Options

Any NFL fan who has ever walked into the sports bar of a Las Vegas casino, knows that a magical experience is about to happen.
Not only do Vegas sports bars display countless betting options, the employees who work at sports books are all too happy to help with the numerous different ways you can wager.
UK casinos rarely even sports books, as was the case when we ran events at the Hippodrome in Leicester Square.
Fans who were desperate to wager on games were pointed to the Ladbrokes down the street, which benefited HUGE from the thousands of fans who wanted to throw down money each week.
Betting became so big there, that Ladbrokes employees from down the road would attend viewing parties because they had ‘so many people coming to bet on games’, they wanted to see what it was all about. 

Authenticity

Real NFL bettors usually have a weekend plan for success.
If you know which of the games on Sunday are ripe for betting, you will work out how many parlays, over-unders, and long shots you are willing to make.
Attempting to then make those wagers on a UK betting app then begins the problems.
Not only are the odds radically different from the US, but the ability to make ‘out there’ bets is only possible if you go into a shop, and find a competent worker.
While it is rewarding to burn a lazy bookmaker for not paying attention to NFL news across the pond, it’s frustrating to have to Scooby Doo down all the information from an app. 

Over the years we have tried to discuss the poor NFL betting options with bookmakers, but it has always fallen on deaf ears.
Either they don’t care about making money from a massively untapped market, to they’re just lazy.

So what betting websites would we recommend?
They’re pretty limited, but here you go.

1. Bet365

When it comes to NFL betting in Europe, Bet365 seems to be the only one with their head in the game.
Not only do they offer the best betting options for the NFL, but they also have a wide selection of parlays and novelty bets on offer.
Sure, the layout is a bit laborious, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty easy to get betting.
You can also switch between betting pricing, allowing players to compare moneyline vs decimal options.
The best past about Bet365 however is the ability to watch the games.
Provided that you have bet on some NFL matches, bettors have the option of being able to stream the game to their phone or device.
With limited viewing options in Europe, this is a ‘MUST HAVE’ feature for NFL fans, as it allows you to watch the game in real time, for no extra cost.
Expats in Europe have been raving about this option for years, as it also extends to MLB, NBA and NHL games, which are hard to find across the pond.
Bet365 has pretty good customer service as well, which is really helpful if you are looking to bet on specific options. 

2. Betway

Second on the list is Betway, which has seen a drop in its NFL product in recent years.
With a very simple and straightforward layout, Betway’s NFL betting is a far simpler option than that of Bet365.
Parlays are quite easy to manipulate, and the overplay is quite crisp and simple.
Betway’s NFL product dropped in quality in 2020, so we are curious to see if they are going to improve on it.
Customer service is slow, but effective once they’re on it. 

3. Paddypower

Remember when Paddypower use to be edgy and funny?
Good times.
The Irish lads have gone corporate, and it shows in their North American sports betting options.
Like Betway, the NFL offerings on Paddy are pretty straightforward.
Nothing too fancy, and there are some muddled parlays and novelty bets in the mix, although they usually look like they were assembled by a soccer fan.
Customer service at Paddy is hit and miss, and on a busy game day, you’re more likely to encounter snark than satisfaction. 

We are still holding out that one day a UK sports book will actually take North American sports in Europe seriously.
With bookmakers on the continent on a frenzied mission to gobble up as many American betting properties as possible, you would think that they would actually look at what is successfully stateside and try to replicate it in Blighty.
 
The NFL is only going to get bigger in Europe, which bookmaker is finally ready to take it seriously?

FanDraft 2021

by

Less than 2 weeks until the NFL season starts up again!
Use promo code ‘London 15’ to get 15% off of FanDraft before the season starts!

The NFL is almost here, which means it’s time to get your Fantasy pools ready for the upcoming season.
To help you out, we’ve partnered once again with FanDraft for 2021.
Using our unique promo code ‘London15‘ will get you 15% off your Fandraft subscription, and open you up to a whole new world of drafting possibilities.

To get the basics of FanDraft, they have a handy walk through guide to getting you set up, and ready to host your Draft Party

Interactive Drafts

The old way of drafting is dead. No longer do you have to worry about ordering a sticker pack of names off of Amazon, only to be disappointed with the quality once it arrives.
FanDraft is totally unique, and you can use it live or remotely.
Once you set it up, it’s just a click and your draft is live.
Best of all, it exports all of your draft into excel files, so that you can easily add them to whatever NFL Fantasy platform that you use.

Remote Drafting

Thanks to COVID, NFL draft parties took on a whole new look last year.
Many fans had to eschew the traditional draft party to Zoom it with their mates.
Zoom drafting sucks, which is why FanDraft is so needed.
You can easily send your mates a remote login, and they can just click and they’re ready to draft.
Just make sure that everyone has a good internet connection to get you going.

TV Hook Up

We usually hook our laptop into a TV to broadcast our NFL Draft, so that everyone can see and shout along.
This works really well if you’re hosting a few drafts on the same day.
Here is a little walk through on how to hook up FanDraft to your TV.

Features

For all the features of the new FanDraft 2021, all you have to do is watch this video.
FanDraft will walk you through all the fun settings you can play around with, as well as ways to piss off your buddies with walk in music, and various sound effects to burn them in even their greatest moments of drafting glory.

To get your subscription going, head to FanDraft today!
Use our promo code LONDON15 to save today!

https://fandraft.com/

 

London Venues

by

The 2021 NFL season is so close you can almost smell it, and we’re excited to announce some new London Venues that we are partnering with.

NFL in London is going ‘OG’, as we return to our roots with some wicked NFL parties at the Sports Bar & Grill-Old Street and Clapham.
We are thoroughly looking forward to working with their team again, and offering all the UK fans a great place to watch NFL throughout the season.

COVID has certainly changed the sports viewing landscape in the past few years, and we were pretty nervous as to how late night, live sports viewing would return.

We wanted to make sure that NFL fans in London could have:
-a dedicated venue to showing the NFL games.
-zones where NFL fans could sit outside of football
-open late enough to show the 9pm Sunday games in their entirety
-good sports food
-located to major transit hubs
-a destination for London game after parties.

TVs

There are over 25 TVs in Old Street, and 15 in Clapham-enough to watch all of the NFL games.
The Old Street location also has 8 tables with their OWN TV, so that you and your mates can have the game right at your table.
The bar will also have different viewing zones, so that you can watch the game that you want.

History

Our history with the Sports Bar and Grill goes back to 2008 in the olde Marylebone location, and was the original London venue.
Those who visited us ‘back in the day’ were treated to comedy shows, Madden tournaments, and celebrity appearances.
We are working with some new partners to bring all of that stuff back again!
Just watch this space, and we will let you know the latest news.

Locations

We are proud to be working with the team(s) at the Old Street and Clapham locations, who will be pivoting both branches towards Sunday Funday’s of NFL.
Both bars will be showing loads of NFL games, Redzone, as well as offering burger, wing and beer deals for you hungry fans.
Old Street will be open EVERY SUNDAY for NFL, with a ‘last call’ at midnight, so that you can enjoy the end of the 9pm games (and not get rudely rushed out).
Clapham will not be open late EVERY Sunday, but we will be working with them to create special events, and viewing parties for fan takeovers.
Want to book the joint to watch your team dominate?
Get in touch!

Reservations

If you want to come down one Sunday, or have a particular Sunday in mind, you’re going to need a reservation at one of our London venues.
These help us let the bar know how many people are coming, as well as plan seating, staffing, and in general makes the whole process flow better-so please contact us if you want a table.
Initial bookings should be targeted to us, and we will work with the bar to get you in front of the TVs you are looking for.
You will need to provide the SB&G with a credit card to hold the table, which is standard and fair.

London Games

Yes! We will be going hard for the London games.
Both matches start at 2:30pm GMT (9:30am EST), so we will be offering before and after options for you and your crew.
The Old Street location will be open LATE for both games, so make sure that you get in touch with us so that we can guarantee you a table for all the action.
We will have more information for you over the next few weeks.

We are very excited to be working with the team at the Sports Bar & Grill once again, and look forward to welcoming you to our parties at both Old Street and Clapham.
More exciting news to be announced over the coming weeks, watch our spaces.

 

2021 London Tickets

by

The NFL is back in London, and all feels right with the world! 

The league announced this week that the 2021 London Tickets would be going on sale this week  for the two October games.
The Jets face the Falcons in an autumn donnybrook in north London first, followed by a gator roll into the battle of Florida, with the Jaguars and Dolphins in the final game.
What are you doing October 10th and 17th? 

First off, we have nothing to do with the ticket sales, and hosting of the game itself.
All of this is handled by the NFL, so make sure you do your due diligence before buying something off the internet.
Do NOT buy tickets off of third party sellers, we can’t stress this enough.
We have heard horror stories of fans getting bamboozled by shifty sellers online, do make sure that you’re not snagging tickets off of dodgy sites, Craigslist or Facebook.

NFL Tickets

This is the official link to the NFL tickets for the game.
If you have any issues, questions or concerns-please reach out to them, and they should be able to help you.
https://www.nfl.com/uk/ticket-prices

Premium Tickets

If you’ve got the dosh like Richie Rich, or corporate connections-you might be lucky enough to get your hands on Premium Tickets.
According to the NFL, these will be the first to go on sale on August 10th at 10am GMT.
If you’re looking to have a ‘quality’ time at the games, than these tickets might fit your pocket.
Ranging from £259-£799 ($330-$900), these tickets will provide you Insta-jealous photos for all your friends, as well as the potential to hob-knob with the NFL UK elite. 

Tottenham Holders

Tottenham Hotspur Season Ticket Holders jump to the front of the queue here, as they have first crack at tickets when they go on sale on Thursday 12th August at 10am, until Monday 16th August at 10am. 

It’s been a tough few years for season ticket holders, so this is a nice reward for live-sport starved fans who need that NFL fix.
If you are a Spurs season ticket holder, don’t hesitate, as these tickets will be gone quickly. 

Wembley Holders

The OG of NFL UK stadiums, Wembley is still relevant in the 2021 games.
If you are a Wembley ticket holder, purchase single game yickets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium go on sale from 10am on Wednesday 18th August until 5pm on Friday 20th August.

Don’t delay in getting yours now!

The Rest if Us

If you don’t have season tickets to Tottenham or Wembley, you will probably be looking at general audience tickets, which go on sale will take place from Wednesday 25th August at 10 am GMT (5am EST).
Don’t be a greedy goblin and buy a bunch of tickets to resell them, it’s not cool & people hate you.
COVID might limit the amount of tickets initially offered, so keep checking the official NFL website on any releases.
We will also let you know if we hear of anything.  

Vax Status

If you’re looking to attend the NFL games in London, you’re going to have to get vaxxed.
While it’s not confirmed yet, it’s a general policy of sport in the UK, and good practice given the gravity of the games.
Anti vax folks might be dismayed, but this is the price of freedom of your veins. Your body your choice, their stadium, their choice.
International travellers will have to provide proof of vaccination as per current UK rules.
These rules constantly change, so make sure that you look at the UK government advice on COVID, as well as any pertinent info from your country if you are looking at visiting England.
There is always the chance of temperature checks, masks requirements, and what not, so be prepared and be cool.
You finally get to watch an NFL game again, chill-axe, vax up and go with the flow. 

In Stadium

Keep it lean.
Whenever you’re going on a sporting trek, the crap you bring with you has the potential to be a drunken liability later.
An umbrella, jumper, hat, sunglasses, phone charger, vape, phone, all become a scavenger hunt later, and a hassle for the rest of the night.
Pack smart, or even designate a buddy as ‘bag holder’ so that the most sober has the responsibility.
General stadium policy is a clear plastic bag, with no outside food, booze, or drugs.
If you really need it, you can always buy it.
Just not the drugs.
Alcohol will probably we available in the galleria, but maybe not the seats.
Again, these things change ALL THE TIME, so just follow the stadium.

That’s all we know for now. Follow our social media for more information and the latest news.

 

Rodgers That!

by

The ‘what will he do’ moment is now upon us, as the NFL world waits in anticipation for what Aaron Rodgers will finally do.
Will he succumb to the public pressure and return to the Packers training camp on July 28th, or will he flip a cheesy bird to the team, and pursue retirement?
Or will he just do his own thing?
Rodgers That!

The A-aaron drama took an end of July shift, when major sports books finally gave in to the notion that the reigning MVP might not be driving to Wisconsin for the fall.

Westgate Sportsbook has pulled all NFC North odds for the moment, including win totals, playoff odds, and weekly lines.

Other Las Vegas sports books including Bovada & Bet online have changed their prices and odds for the Packers to repeat.
In fact, Circa Sports has released their own new odds, which favours the Minnesota Vikings winning the NFC North, ahead of the Packers.

So what are Rodgers options really then?

Back at Pack

It’s no secret that Rodgers hates Packers GM Brian Gutekunst, he hates him so much-he could actually be family with him.
Aaron had said in the spring that he ‘wouldn’t be back’ so long as Gutekunst was on the team, and yet he’s still there.
Given that AR has been so vocal about his disdain for the leadership of the team, that he would be willing to forgive and forget over a summer of very little contact.

Rodgers (former) teammates were all quite bullish on the prospect of him slinging up for the Cheeseheads in 2021, but that too has started to fizzle out as July has.

With words that Davante Adams is now opting out of renegotiating a new contract, it would seem that even he knows that Rodgers time in Wisconsin is done.

Even if Rodgers were to return to Green Bay at the end of July, would the fans forgive him?
As the only ‘fan owned’ franchise, the Packers are more like a family than a global corporation.
By ‘playing games’ with his future he’s not just fucking with Jerry Jones, he’s trifling with mom and pop America, and they’ve had a rough couple of years.

Even if he were to retire, how much tension is going to fill that locker room?
Too much to fit a championship in there most likely.

Retire

There’s retirement, and then there is retiring for a bit.
Rodgers has too much competition in him left to whomp out of the league for good, but he could take a little break to show them what they are missing.

Having just announcement his surprise engagement, there are rumours that he wants to use this time to get married and enjoy his honeymoon phase before getting back to work.

Sure, he’ll lose some money on the season, but there are plenty of other ways for Aaron to grab some cash.
From appearances at ‘Game of Thrones’ fan expos, judging on ‘America’s Next A Capella Sensation’, our recreating the movie ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ with puppets, with fiancee Shailene Woodley.

It’s no secret that the kid from Chico, California would also LOVE to be the next host of Jeopardy. Given his lack lustre week of hosting this year, that might be tough. If he thinks Packers fans are emotional, wait til he pisses off the elderly nerd crowd.

Family Counsellor

The Rodgers family are a reality show waiting to happen.
Imagine a series where Aaron returns to the homestead to make peace with his religious family, as well as performing a series of pranks on them.
Hilarity ensues.
This would also provide Aaron with the ability to get back at his brother Jordan, who sullied the family name on ‘The Bachelor”.
For shame.

Of course, we won’t know what is really going to until July 28th, when (and if) he doesn’t appear at training camp.

If he’s not there on Wednesday, make sure to check on your Green Bay Packers fans to make sure that they don’t do something stupid.
Like switch to being Buccaneers fans.

What do you think he will do?