Countries Participating in American Football: Some May Surprise You
Sports can break down boundaries and unite people, communities, and nations. This is so true 
about American football and American football leagues around the world. The sport connects 
the continents while also making news in the United Kingdom and across Europe. 
The National Football League, America’s professional football league, has stated that it would
extend its International Series games beyond London, Germany, and Mexico, perhaps 
including Spain and France in the future. Interested to learn more about what countries play 
countries with American football.

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Growing into a Global Sport
In recent years, American football has gained popularity outside of the United States, with 
more NFL (National Football League) clubs participating in the International Series. The 
inaugural International Series games were played at Wembley Stadium in London in 2007. 
That same year, Mexico and Germany hosted additional games. Since then, the popularity 
and interest in American football has skyrocketed across Europe. More people in England, 
Germany, France, and Spain are tuning in to watch the weekly games on TV, follow the NFL 
teams’ trips to the Super Bowl, and even visit games in person for an unforgettable fan 
experience.
Until a few years ago, London was the largest ‘hub’ of NFL fans in Europe. Germany has 
recently eclipsed Britain, ultimately becoming the region’s biggest market. A recent survey 
found that both nations had roughly 3.3 million passionate admirers and up to 17 million 
casual fans. A large number of those fans are actively exhibiting interest by buying branded 
merchandise, subscribing to TV broadcasts, wagering on their favorite teams, and so on. So, 
let’s look at the top three countries (except for the USA) where football has gained 
popularity. Some of them may surprise you. So let’s have a look.
1. Canada
Obviously, Canada is on this list of the countries that play American football. Its culture and 
sports are closely tied to those of the United States. So it’s no surprise that Canadians like 
football. Canadian players have been competing in the NFL for some time, and over 20 
players from Canada appeared in the NFL last season.
Aside from that, the Canadian Football League is the second-largest football league in the 
world. Even though it has various rules, the game is widely viewed the same. With this in 
mind, it is no wonder that Canada is one of the countries with the highest football 
participation.
Considering this strong connection to American football, the consistent flow of talent into the 
NFL, and the thriving presence of the CFL, it comes as no surprise that Canada ranks among 
the other countries that play American football. From youth leagues and high school teams to 
university programs and professional organizations, football thrives at all levels across 
Canada. What other countries play American football?
2. Great Britain
The NFL’s popularity has grown significantly in England and Scotland during the last decade. 
The NFL International Series was initially created in 2007 as a marketing strategy to boost 
the sport’s global appeal. Though it had mixed results, it did gain traction in the United 
Kingdom, just like in other American football countries. For those unfamiliar, the NFL 
Among the top countries where this happened are Germany (where the game also gained 
popularity), the United Kingdom, Mexico, and others.
The National Football League of the United Kingdom will continue to be amateur in the 
coming years. However, the BAFF (British American Football Federation) has had 12,000 
active members since 2007, putting Great Britain at the top of our list of football-friendly 
countries representing American football in other countries.
3. Japan
It may surprise some to find that the sport is quite popular in Japan. We should even admit 
that American football is one of the most popular sports of today. It was initially introduced 
off. Football is played at both the professional and collegiate levels in Japan, much as it is in 
the United States. Professional clubs, however, are restricted in terms of player rosters, with 
just three Americans allowed in each squad. Japan has a successful national football squad, 
which has won two American Football World Cups.
What countries play American football professionally? How many countries play American 
football? Are you intrigued by the global reach of American football and the NFL’s efforts to 
expand its international footprint? Do you want to learn more about the impact of these 
International Series games on local economies and cultural exchange? Or perhaps you’re 
interested in understanding the strategies the NFL employs to build a loyal international 
fanbase. Regardless of the case, now you know how popular American football is and how 
the whole sporting industry develops around the world. 
 
												