Why Hasn't American Football Caught on Globally Despite Being a Big Thing in the US?

Is American Football Popular in Europe?

Yes, American Football is indeed gaining traction in Europe. In 2024, NFL broadcasts in Europe, particularly in Germany and the UK, saw a 13% increase in viewership compared to the previous season. 

Take the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins game in Frankfurt, for example. According to data, it attracted a record-breaking 9.2 million viewers. On top of it, NFL Network's international games, including the London Series and Frankfurt Series, averaged 5.8 million viewers! 

It substantially jumps from the 5.1 million average for the previous season's international games. The NFL's strategic decision to host games in key European cities like London has been instrumental in this growth. 

What NFL Teams are Popular in Europe?

If you're curious about which American football teams have captured the hearts of fans across Europe, it’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They’ve become a sensation, especially after their recent Super Bowl win. 

It seems the Green Bay Packers are also a big deal, with a hefty 30% of NFL-related searches in Europe centered around them! You can’t forget about the New England Patriots as well. Their six Super Bowl victories have certainly not gone unnoticed among the EU audience. 

And here's a fun fact for you. Though not one of the bigger franchises, the Buffalo Bills have a surprising following in Italy and beyond! 

Bookmakers About Global Market Mood: Are NFL Fans Mistaking Blunders for Conspiracy?

The NFL betting scene recently witnessed a wave of speculation about game rigging. Data suggests that a string of unexpected game outcomes fuels it. 

Imagine this. You bet on the favorite and you’re certain your team will win. But lady luck has something else in store for you—the underdog triumphs. 

This scenario repeated itself in several games, which caused a stir among bettors. Fox Sports captured this sentiment and highlighted the shock in the betting world as favorites fell unexpectedly. 

Meanwhile, the San Diego Union-Tribune chimed in. This media outlet emphasized the high stakes for the NFL and explained why rigging games is highly unlikely. Of course, it comes down to the scrutiny and potential fallout.

Now, imagine being a bettor who's just faced a loss because the supposedly sure-win team didn't deliver. It's easy to see why some would cry foul play. 

But here's the thing. Upsets are part of what makes sports exciting. In a competitive and closely watched league like the NFL, the idea of fixed games sounds more like fiction than fact. So, you should still go ahead and discover US football on BetZillion. The experts at this platform spend a lot of time on the industry to bring you the safest sports betting sites with good NFL odds.

How Do Non-Americans Refer to American Football?

Did you know that different names around the globe know American Football? Of course, it stems from each country's unique language and cultural influences. Interestingly, it’s even different for European and non-European countries. 

Throughout this post section, let’s explore what different countries call the sport. 

What do Other Countries Call American Football?

Different countries have different takes on Football. Around the world, “football” primarily refers to the European sport where 11 players on each team run around the field with a round ball. The players can only use their legs and heads to handle the ball; no hands are allowed. In many countries, this sport is also known as soccer.

On the other hand, the American Football League allows using hands. The ball used also looks like an egg. It led to the infamous slang “handegg” for American Football. From what we can tell, soccer fans call American Football by this name. 

Soccer, however, is not even an official term for the sport. FIFA, the largest regulatory body of the sport, officially calls it Football. You may have seen “FC” at the end of domestic club names, which stands for “Football Club.” Soccer isn’t mentioned anywhere. 

But soccer is not the center of our attention for this post, so let’s switch back to American Football. Here’s the list of names different countries call the sport.  

• Australia: Known simply as "American football" to distinguish it from Australian rules football
• Brazil: Futebol Americano
• China: Referred to as "Meishi Ganlanqiu," translating to "American-style rugby"
• Japan: Amerikan Futtobōru
• México: Fútbol Americano

What is American Football Called in Europe?

In various European countries, American Football is referred to by a range of names, often reflecting each nation's unique cultural and linguistic aspects. Here's a list of what American Football is called in ten different European countries:

• United Kingdom: Commonly called 'American football' to distinguish it from association football (soccer)
• Ireland: Similar to the UK, it is also known as 'American football'
• Netherlands: Termed Amerikaans voetbal
• Sweden: Amerikansk fotboll
• Poland: Futbol amerykański
• Portugal: Futebol Americano
• France: Football Américain
• Germany: Amerikanischer Fußball
• Italy: Football Americano
• Spain: Fútbol Americano

How Many People Watch American Football All Around the World?

Imagine this for a moment. You’re in Mexico, sitting with millions of others with everyone’s eyes glued to the screen. You’re watching the Super Bowl. 

In case you’re unaware, the NFL is no longer a US phenomenon. Over 20.7 million people in Mexico tuned in, with an average viewership hitting 8.3 million last season. It has effectively become a cultural event for the US’s closest neighbor. 

Now, let’s head up north to Canada. Here, the Super Bowl drew in 17.3 million people. That's a lot of Canadian fans joining the American football craze. 

And let's not forget Brazil, where over 2.5 million people are catching on to this American sport, showing a whopping 19% increase in viewers compared to last year!

But wait, there's more. 

Over in China, 6.2 million people streamed the Super Bowl live. This time, it wasn't just another Super Bowl. Rather, it was the most-watched event in the past six years. To back this up, you can look up the data and find that the viewership grew by 43%!

What does all of this tell you? Well, American Football is no longer just America's game. It has become a global spectacle. Whether it's the thrill of the game, the halftime show, or just the joy of a shared experience, people worldwide are tuning in. 

As time goes by, we see the craze only increasing. Europe used to be one of the largest untapped markets for the NFL. But things will change for good with new venues being added to the list.