London turns Green & Gold as Green Bay Packers make their NFL International debut

| Europe | 10/10/2022

In the 32nd NFL International Series game in London, the NFL’s 32nd and final team to play in London, the Green Bay Packers finally debuted against the New York Giants in Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

As one of the league’s most popular teams, it was not unexpected that Green Bay would have a strong fan presence at the game. The Packers faithful fans made their presence felt earlier at the NFL UK’s ‘NFL South Bank’ as Cheeseheads lined the River Thames for what turned into an unplanned Packers Pep rally. Packers star running back Aaron Jones hosted a sold-out event in the heart of London’s Carnaby Street while quarterback Aaron Rodgers teased the media with jokes of getting a local brew at a London pub along with a ‘proper’ Sunday roast.

In Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as game time approached, it became clear the Packers were going to be heavily supported as more green and yellow trickled into the 60k-capacity stadium.  Fans from all of Europe made the trip to support their Packers as we spoke to Green Bay fans, from Finland, Germany, Spain, Ireland, France and the UK.

The debut proved to fall just short of a total success as the Packers fell to the New York Giants 27–22 in a thrilling back and forth event.  The ruckus Packers crowd played did not go unnoticed as momentum swings ignited the international Packers fans and the Green Bay sideline alike. Chants of “Go Pack Go‘ and a strong rendition of roll out the barrel played to full effect abroad. Tottenham felt like Lambeau Field as the crowd of erupted every time Green Bay gave them an excuse to cheer on their squad for the first time outside of the United States. Even New York Giants star Saquan Barkley gave a nod to the Packers fans strong presence.

There’s no doubt that Green Bay will be back in abroad at some point as the NFL looks to expand its international series into Germany, Mexico, and the UK. If I were a betting man, I’d anticipate the Green and Gold making their next appearance in Germany in the next two to three years.

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and