US Sports in London 2026: The American Fan’s Guide

NCAA College Football — The Union Jack Classic (September 19, 2026)

Kansas Jayhawks face off against Arizona State Sun Devils at Wembley Stadium for the first-ever college football game played at Wembley.

NFL London Games (October 2026)

London will host three regular-season NFL games on consecutive Sundays throughout October:

• October 5: Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings — Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• October 12: New York Jets vs. Denver Broncos — Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• October 19: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Rams — Wembley Stadium

These aren’t exhibition matches either. They are the real deal NFL regular-season games. Yes, you’ve likely enjoyed the atmosphere at NFL games before, but this is a really unique experience. You’ll find a genuine mix of passionate American fans, extremely knowledgeable Brits, and a whole host of new fans discovering the sport for the first time.

Getting to London from the US

Before planning your trip to London from the US, there are a few things to know:

• Heathrow is your main arrival airport in London and is the primary gateway for transatlantic flights. Most US cities have direct routes to Heathrow, but check online before booking your flights.
• The typical flight time into London is around seven hours from the East Coast and 10-11 hours from the West Coast.
• London is five hours ahead of EST. It’s important to build in a day or two to adjust for jetlag.
  

As a US citizen, you don’t need a visa for a tourist stay in London (and the rest of the UK) for up to six months. But you will need to purchase an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which allows you six months in the UK for tourism, visiting family, or certain other reasons. From 8^th April 2026, an ETA now costs £20. You can apply for an ETA online at the UK Government website, and it’s valid for two years. You’ll also need a valid passport, so make sure you check your passport expiry before booking your trip.

Getting from Heathrow into London

You have a couple of options to get into Central London from Heathrow:

Heathrow Express

This is the fastest way to travel into London from the airport. It takes just 15 minutes to get from Heathrow Central to London Paddington, with trains leaving every 15 minutes.

It’s the ideal choice if you have luggage and want to get to your hotel quickly after a long-haul flight. Paddington connects to the rest of the London Underground and is well-placed for central London hotels.

Book Heathrow Express tickets

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (NFL, October 5 & 12)

Home of Tottenham Hotspur and host to two NFL games in October, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is one of the most impressive stadiums anywhere in the UK.

It’s located in North London and is best reached by overground train. You can take the train to either White Hart Lane station (four-minute walk to the stadium) or Northumberland Park station (eight-minute walk).

To get to White Hart Lane station, you can take the Victoria line on the tube and change to the overground at Seven Sisters – it’s just two stops away on the overground. Or you can take a Southwestern train from Victoria station direct to either White Hart Lane or Northumberland Park. You can also get the train direct from Liverpool Street to White Hart Lane station.

Whilst you can drive, it’s best avoided. We strongly recommend getting public transport on match days as the roads will be packed.

Wembley Stadium (College Football September 19 / NFL October 19)

The world-famous Wembley Stadium hosts both the college football in September and an NFL game in October.

Wembley is located in Northwest London, and you can reach it on the tube or train from Central London. The best route is on either the Jubilee or Metropolitan Line to Wembley Park station. It’s then a short walk to the stadium along the iconic Wembley Way. The stadium is also accessible via Wembley Central on either the Bakerloo Line or National Rail services.

This is one of the most renowned sports venues in the world. Arrive early to take it all in, from the crowds on Wembley Way to the Wembley Arch over the stadium itself.

Where to stay in London for a sports trip

While you might want to stay close to the stadiums for ease and convenience on game day, both are a little isolated from the rest of London. We recommend staying closer to the centre of the city, so you can combine your trip with some London attractions and the best sightseeing in the city.

Central London (Zone 1-2) is the ideal base. You’ll find excellent tube and train connections to the stadiums and you’ll be within easy reach of the city’s major sites. Look at areas around Paddington, Kensington, Covent Garden or South Bank. You’ll find budget, mid-range and luxury hotels in all these areas, with options to suit all budgets.

You’ll need to book your hotel early, as both September and October are busy months in London. Hotel prices tend to spike around the NFL weekends too.

If you’re arriving late at night or departing Heathrow early in the morning, consider staying in a hotel by the airport and jumping on the Hotel Hoppa shuttle bus.

Making the most of your London trip around the game

While the game will undoubtedly be a major highlight of the trip, there’s so much more to see in London. Treat this trip as a full London adventure and you’ll get the most out of the city. Consider taking in:

• Iconic sights: Put the likes of the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge on your agenda to tick off all the major tourist attractions.
• Famous neighbourhoods: Explore Covent Garden (great for pre-game drinks and food), Shoreditch (spend time in cool bars and grab some street food) and the South Bank (for riverside walks with great views) and you’ll start to get a feel for the different areas of the city.
• British pub culture: This is an essential experience for American visitors. Find a local pub, order a pint, and watch the locals. Many pubs will also be showing American sports, plus there’ll be plenty of UK sports on too.

The best way to get around the city for a short visit is on the London Underground (the tube). Buy an Oyster card or simply tap your contactless bank card when you enter the station. It’s far easier than a rental car, which you don’t need if you’re just exploring the city.

Many major sites are closer together than you think, so you can easily walk between them or hop on a bus – your Oyster card works on London buses or you can just tap in with your bank card.

We recommend arriving in London around three to four days before game day to give you time to explore the city without rushing. You can also get over any jetlag well before game day.