American Bowl

The American Bowl was a series of National Football League (NFL) preseason exhibition games that were held at various venues outside the United States between 1986 and 2005. The series was part of the NFL's effort to promote American football globally and to test the sport's viability in different markets around the world.

History

The American Bowl started in 1986, with the first game taking place in London, United Kingdom at Wembley Stadium. The game featured a matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys, two of the most popular teams in the NFL at the time. The success of this game, both in terms of attendance and television viewership, encouraged the NFL to continue and expand the series.

Over the years, the American Bowl games were held in various countries including Japan, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Germany, and Australia. These games were typically held in late July or early August, before the start of the NFL regular season.

Impact

The American Bowl played a significant role in increasing the international exposure of the NFL. It helped to cultivate a fan base in countries where American football was not traditionally followed. The series also paved the way for regular-season NFL games being played overseas, which eventually led to the establishment of the NFL International Series in 2007.

Notable Games

• 1990: The game in Tokyo, Japan, between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks drew a crowd of over 50,000 spectators.
• 1994: The game in Berlin, Germany, featured the New York Giants against the San Diego Chargers, highlighting the NFL's push into the European market.

Decline and Conclusion

By the early 2000s, the novelty of the American Bowl began to wear off, and the focus shifted towards playing regular-season games internationally, which was seen as more meaningful by fans and teams alike. The last American Bowl game was held in 2005 in Tokyo, featuring the Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts.

Legacy

Although the American Bowl series was discontinued, it laid the groundwork for the continued international expansion of the NFL. The series demonstrated the global appeal of American football and helped establish a framework for future international games, including the annual games in London and Mexico City under the NFL International Series.