Ding dong, Covid is dead!
The birds are singing, the pubs are ringing, and all signs are pointing to normal.
So what does that mean for the 2021 NFL games in London?
Hopefully…normalcy.
If you haven’t been living in a bubble for the past 2 years, then you’ll know that it has been a wonky-donkey wave.
The 2020 London NFL games were cancelled, as were a holy host of sporting events, and even leagues that couldn’t weather the viral storm.
As the clouds clear, it looks like we might have a better indication of what might go down in London for the October 2021 games.
We are not the NFLUK, just a bunch of fans…so our word is a fart in the wind when it comes to legitimacy.
That being said, let’s look at London NFL 2021.
Covid Great Britain
Great Britain has navigated this Covid storm better than most.
With over 60% of the population double vaxxed, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out a timetable for July 19th for life to return to normal.
This means no more social distancing, limits on numbers of people at a table, and late night venues can open up again.
Best of all…no vaccine passports required!
Normal might be normal again!
While these might not be the rules where you live, those are the impending rules in the UK.
As far as foreigners entering the UK, provided you’re double vaxxed, it’s thought that there will be no issues.
So far so good, but watch this space.
Tottenham Watching
Tottenham and the NFLUK will set their own rules when it comes to letting people into the stadium, but it’s thought that they will follow current conventions in place.
Every NFL stadium is planning on full crowds for the 2021 season, so there’s no reason to think that Tottenham won’t do the same.
The only bugaboo for fans might come from those who aren’t quite ready to sit 3 cm from a stranger who is screaming spittle into your warm Stella.
While many of the football matches are alcohol free in the stands, that could change once October rolls around.
The area surrounding the stadium isn’t known as much of a ‘party zone’, so time will tell what requirements for pubs and bars in the area will impose on visitors.
Late Night London
London is not a late night town.
Unlike New York which is dedicating itself to a 24 hour future, London is mostly shuttered after 11pm, even earlier due to Covid.
Sunday evenings are particularly dead in the capital, and that will probably continue as the trepidation of this ‘new normal’ sets in.
Watching the NFL on a Sunday night for the 9pm (4pm EST) games has gotten more difficult in London, as few pubs are willing to stay open past 10pm.
Areas like Leicester Square have only gotten dirtier, with more gangs and stabbings…so we’ll avoid that area for 2021, as people have already been poked enough.
We are working on a few options for after the Sunday games at Tottenham, and will keep you updated.
Things We Are Keeping an Eye On
As we have learned time and time again over the past few years…nothing the government promises us is locked in stone.
Variants are popping up quicker than ‘Loki’ clones, jabs can only do so much, and the virus continues to surprise us like a pyrotechnic gender-reveal.
Things like booster vaccines, on site testing, temperature checks, and social distancing could all make an ugly return like Josh Gordon, but how much they factor into play needs to be seen.
Book your tickets and be positive, that should be worth something.
We are neither the NFL, nor health experts…so what do we know?
Once we hear the real truths, we will let you all know what the word is.
Hope to see everyone in October.
