Peter Mandelson, the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States, has been actively pushing for the Super Bowl to be held in Britain. During a recent appearance at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Mandelson expressed his enthusiasm for the idea, stating, ‘I want that Super Bowl in Britain. I don’t care when it takes place, but I want it announced during my time as ambassador. We love it. We love it.’ His remarks were met with laughter from the audience, indicating the lighthearted nature of the proposal.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also voiced his support for the Super Bowl to be hosted in the city, believing it could solidify London as the ‘sporting capital of the world.’ Khan has previously highlighted the significance of the Super Bowl, stating, ‘The Super Bowl is really important for us. We have a number of American football games, and I want it to come here because we want American sports fans in Europe to come to London to watch them, not just go to America.’ This aligns with the NFL’s ongoing international efforts, which include hosting regular-season games in London since 2007.
Despite the enthusiasm from British officials, the Super Bowl has traditionally remained in the United States. The 2026 Super Bowl is scheduled to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and the 2027 game will be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. However, the NFL’s expansion into international markets continues, with the upcoming season featuring two games at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October. While the NFL has not yet moved the Super Bowl out of the U.S., the push for international hosting reflects growing interest in globalizing the event.
Although the Super Bowl is a major event in American sports, its continued hosting within the United States underscores the challenges of moving such a significant and culturally iconic event to another country. The NFL’s expansion into international markets demonstrates its efforts to grow its fan base and increase revenue, but the Super Bowl’s status as a U.S.-based event remains a key part of its identity.