FA hope to secure NFL franchise from 2018

NFL teams such as the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks could ne a regular feature at Wembley from 2018. Picture: Getty

The FA has made winning an American football franchise to be based at Wembley a priority and it is understood that would open the way to holding a few England games away from the national stadium.

During the construction of the new Wembley, England matches were held in packed stadiums in different parts of the country including Old Trafford in Manchester, Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, Newcastle’s St James’ Park, Villa Park, Leicester City’s stadium and Southampton’s St Mary’s ground.

The FA agreed a deal to play all England games at Wembley until 2017 but there will be some flexibility when that current deal ends, although the majority of the matches would still be held at the national stadium.

That could see games such as last month’s friendly against Norway, which saw a record low turnout for the new Wembley, played at a regional venue.

Securing an NFL franchise would be a lucrative earner for the FA, which owns Wembley, and allow the governing body to look at options for England games.

Three NFL games are taking place at Wembley this season which bring in estimated revenues of £3 million per game.

Last year, Wembley managing director Roger Maslin said he was confident the stadium could stage a whole season of eight NFL games.

He said: “Football is our priority. But, yes, I’m absolutely confident that if the NFL wanted to have franchise here then we could absolutely do it.”

Meanwhile, it is understood the FA has ruled out Tottenham playing their home matches at Wembley while a new stadium is built on the site of the existing White Hart Lane ground.

FA sources say there are too many demands on Wembley but it could be open to the possibility of staging some games there. The club are considering playing games at MK Dons’ ground in Milton Keynes instead.