The NFL hasn’t quite yet conquered the UK, and by “conquer” we mean supplanted sports like football and rugby, but it is considered one of the fastest-growing in popularity among fans in the country and the rest of Europe. Twenty years ago, it was considered a niche sport in Britain; now, fans are counted in their millions.
The 2025 NFL season is hurtling towards its climax, and it already feels like one of the most memorable ones in an age. Below, we break down everything that is happening, the main narratives, and a quick guide for UK fans to catch the action:
What’s Happening Right Now
There are a couple of rounds to go in the 17-game regular season. Some teams have already qualified, including the LA Rams, who are considered the Super Bowl favourites with DraftKings online football betting. Others like the Philadelphia Eagles (the current champions) and New England Patriots are almost guaranteed to join them. There are still several spots up for grabs, so some key games will be played over Christmas and the New Year.
The Playoff Schedule and Structure
Fourteen teams from 32 will qualify for the Playoffs, with seven each contesting the AFC and NFC Conferences. The action starts on January 10th with the Wild Card Games, followed by Division Rounds and Conference Finals. The winner of the AFC Conference will play the winner of the NFC Conference at Super Bowl LX in Levi’s Stadium on the 8th February.
The Story So Far
The season has been one of several surprises. Many teams that were expected to do well didn’t. Many who were not predicted to excel did. Of course, you can say that about most sports leagues in any given season, but this has been exceptional. There have been some big-name casualties already, including the Kansas City Chiefs, who were recently eliminated after making the Playoffs despite making five of the last six Super Bowls. It has all added up to a season of action where we don’t quite know what’s going to happen next, with that unpredictability adding an extra layer of excitement to the Playoffs.
The UK NFL action
As is now the norm, London hosted three NFL games this year, with wins coming for the Minnesota Vikings, LA Rams and Denver Broncos. The latter pair should definitely be considered Super Bowl contenders, so there was definitely a sense of meaningfulness that these were more than exhibition games. As for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who now effectively play in London at least once a season, they were hammered by the Rams, but they are in contention for a Playoff spot and are enjoying a superb season.
UK Broadcasting
The good news for local fans is that television coverage of the NFL is just as comprehensive over here as it is in the US. The even better news is that Channel 5 is broadcasting live games for free all season. The lion’s share of the action goes to Sky Sports and its dedicated NFL channel, which complements live games with in-depth analysis and highlight shows. If you are comfortable with streaming, you can purchase an NFL Game Pass through DAZN, which effectively gives you every game.
And One Last Thing
If you are not interested in the game itself, it’s worth remembering that the Super Bowl has become a cultural institution in itself. There will no doubt be Super Bowl parties aplenty across the UK (although it will be on in the wee small hours of the morning). Moreover, Bad Bunny – the most-streamed artist on Spotify in 2025 – got the nod for the legendary Super Bowl Half-Time Show.
