NFL coming to Canada - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

skins · 10-24-2006, 09:10 PM

Quote:

The NFL will play as many as two regular-season games per year outside the United States starting in 2007, with Canada, Mexico, England and Germany as possible sites for starters.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/nfl...24_185948_7368

Pagal4321 · 10-24-2006, 09:12 PM

I read this...it will be interesting where they hold the game though. I mean obviously the NFL would want attendance to be over 40,000 people.

Antithesis · 10-24-2006, 09:18 PM

I doubt it would be anywhere aside from Toronto.

metallicat · 10-24-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I doubt it would be anywhere aside from Toronto.

The Skydome will likely be the first choice, but I see no reason why this can't be a success in other cities such as Vancouver, Edmonton, or Calgary.

VANFLAMESFAN · 10-24-2006, 09:32 PM

I could see a Seahawks game coming to BC Place in the next few years. That would be sweet, if they played the PAts, I would be in heaven. Still yet to go see them as they havent been to Seattle for a long time now.

Table 5 · 10-24-2006, 09:33 PM

I could see Edmonton being a choice after Toronto....after all they have a much larger stadium than the other big cities.

Pagal4321 · 10-24-2006, 09:38 PM

But Toronto will OBVIOUSLY be the first choice, with Vancouver probably being second.

Calgary and Edmonton would be ignored, as would most Canadian cities.

Flames in 07 · 10-24-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

But Toronto will OBVIOUSLY be the first choice, with Vancouver probably being second.

Calgary and Edmonton would be ignored, as would most Canadian cities.

I'd say Edm would be ahead of Vancouver ... way better facility.

JohnnyFlame · 10-24-2006, 09:58 PM

Would for certain have to be Toronto. They are the only major league city in the country. If they could add the NFL to the MLB and NBA WOW!!! I heard they had some guy working on it again. An exhibition game would be a good start.

swo2k1 · 10-24-2006, 10:03 PM

I would suggest, that it would be Toronto and only Toronto.

calf · 10-24-2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

An exhibition game would be a good start.

This would actually be a regular season game.

My darkhorse pick for the game is Winnipeg.

Sidney Crosby's Hat · 10-24-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I'd say Edm would be ahead of Vancouver ... way better facility.

Neither city has a shot. Commonwealth Stadium would be a horrible place to watch NFL football. With an NFL field the fans would be so far away from the action it wouldn't be funny.

Not to mention, although the stadium seats 60,000 it really can't handle crowds of over 45,000 in terms of concessions, washrooms, etc.

The game would have to be in September as well due to temperature considerations.

As for BC Place, it might have an outside shot but they would have to improve the turf in a big way. It's nowhere near the standards the NFL would expect.

Resolute 14 · 10-24-2006, 11:06 PM

I would figure the games will be in September regardless. The NFL isnt about to put a mid or late season game that could mean something in a foreign country.

If the NFL really wanted to make a big splash, and not go for the money for once, put the game in Winnipeg or Regina. Go totally off the wall.

J pold · 10-24-2006, 11:19 PM

Best News I have herd all day!!!

Sylvanfan · 10-24-2006, 11:24 PM

Well it sounds like one game next year and I think you can pretty much guarantee that will go to Mexico City. Toronto hosting a Bills game, or Vancouver hosting a Seahawks game are really the only two possibilities. Chances are they'd want to take two teams who aren't exactly huge revenue generators at home and have them play their first or second game of the season internationally where the game itself would be the attraction.

I could see something like a Jacksonville vs. Tennessee game being held in London on a Thursday to open the season type of thing. Both teams get 3 extra days to recover from a slightly longer flight and the time zones. Canad might get one game every two years at most.

Smyth94 · 10-24-2006, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Neither city has a shot. Commonwealth Stadium would be a horrible place to watch NFL football. With an NFL field the fans would be so far away from the action it wouldn't be funny.

Not to mention, although the stadium seats 60,000 it really can't handle crowds of over 45,000 in terms of concessions, washrooms, etc.

The game would have to be in September as well due to temperature considerations.

As for BC Place, it might have an outside shot but they would have to improve the turf in a big way. It's nowhere near the standards the NFL would expect.

I wouldn't totally discount it not happening.

The Esks have put in 60,000 fans on more than a few occassions. In Canada, it is probably one of the best options, other than Toronto.

Don't count out Montreal either.

Sidney Crosby's Hat · 10-25-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smyth94

I wouldn't totally discount it not happening.

The Esks have put in 60,000 fans on more than a few occassions. In Canada, it is probably one of the best options, other than Toronto.

Don't count out Montreal either.

That's true, I forgot about Olympic Stadium - turf issue there as well.

As for Edmonton, the only way the NFL comes to Edmonton is if it's the Broncos, whose owner is an Edmontonian.

calf · 10-25-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smyth94

Don't count out Montreal either.

I'm not sure anyone will pony up the $1 mill+ to get decent turf into the Big O (since it's doubtful the Alouettes will ever play there again, save playoff games)

Smyth94 · 10-25-2006, 12:23 AM

Didn't both Montreal and BC get field turf?

Smyth94 · 10-25-2006, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calf

I'm not sure anyone will pony up the $1 mill+ to get decent turf into the Big O (since it's doubtful the Alouettes will ever play there again, save playoff games)

The Als just played there last week