For the seventh year in a row, the excitement of American football comes to Wembley and this year the famous stadium is hosting two games – both live on Channel 4 and Sky Sports.
The NFL makes its triumphant return to the national stadium on Sunday, September 29, as the Minnesota Vikings do battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both franchises are still looking for their victory this season, so one team will finally see their ‘0’ go on Sunday night.
They are both also making their Wembley debuts and will no doubt hope to impress what will be a capacity crowd at London’s iconic stadium.
This is the first of two international games to be staged at Wembley this season, as the second will see the Jacksonville Jaguars square off against the San Francisco 49ers in October.
Both Minnesota and Pittsburgh, who meet in the first Wembley clash of the season, made losing starts their respective campaigns.
The Vikings were beaten by the Detroit Lions, while the Steelers were upset by the Tennessee Titans in week one.
Expected to star for Minnesota at Wembley is the man ranked number one player of last season across the whole NFL – running back Adrian Peterson.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will hope that their appropriately nicknamed quarterback, ‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger, finds inspiration in London.
The last meeting between the two sides came during the 2009 campaign, when Pittsburgh were the reigning Super Bowl champions.
The Vikings were also a force to be reckoned with, having won all six of their opening games.
Billed as a battle between quarterbacks Brett Favre and Ben Roethlisberger, the match was eventually decided by two crucial touchdown returns in the final few minutes.
LaMarr Woodley’s 77-yard fumble return and Keyaron Fox’s 82-yard interception return allowed the Steelers to seal a hard-fought 27-17 victory and end their opponents’ impressive unbeaten streak.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings kicks off the two-game NFL International Series before next month’s meeting in north London sees a clash between Jacksonville Jaguars and last season’s Super Bowl runners-up, the San Francisco 49ers.
It will be the first time that the NFL will hold two regular season games outside of the United States and it could lead to even more depending on how these games go this autumn.
First thing’s first, both the Steelers and Vikings arrive in the UK in the unfamiliar position of 0-3 and still chasing their first win – it should make for an even better atmosphere with both teams desperate for a first win of the campaign.
Both Wembley 2013 NFL games will shown live on free-to-air television with Channel 4, as well as on Sky Sports.
Channel 4 will have all the action covered from Wembley, presented by Colin Murray with analysis and comment from respected NFL broadcaster Mike Carlson in the studio.
Build-up to the game begins half-an-hour before kick-off and the first two hours – approximately the first three quarters – will be shown on Channel 4 and in high-definition on Channel 4 HD.
Live coverage will switch to Channel 4’s digital station More4 and More4 HD from 8.00pm onwards, where the game will continue through to its climax.
Fans can watch Channel 4 and More4’s live coverage online for free via channel4.com, or catch-up shortly after transmission via 40D.
Channel 4 regained its status as the home of the NFL on terrestrial television this season after signing a two-year deal to screen Sunday night games, the two Wembley international contests, and the Super Bowl.
A preview of Sunday’s first Wembley encounter of the season will also feature in Channel 4’s new Saturday morning highlights programme ‘The American Football Show’ at 9.00am.
Sky Sports will also provide coverage of the NFL’s first of two visits to Wembley this autumn.
Kevin Cadle hosts live coverage of the match from 5.30pm ahead of a 6.00pm kick-off on Sky Sports 2 and in high-definition on Sky Sports 2 HD.
Regular Sky Sports analysts Neil Reynolds and Cecil Martin join Cadle in the studio.
Subscribers can view the game on the move via Sky Go on PCs, mobiles and tablet devices, plus a special half-hour preview show, hosted by Cadle and Reynolds, will be shown on Saturday evening on Sky Sports.
Both UK broadcasters will use the commentary and coverage feed provided by host broadcaster CBS, who will be screening the game in the United States.
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Saturday 28th September
The American Football Show
9.00am-10.00am Channel 4
NFL London Preview
6.25pm-6.55pm Sky Sports 2
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Sunday 29th September
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Minnesota Vikings
Kick-off: 18:00 | Wembley Stadium
LIVE: 5.30pm-8.00pm Channel 4 / 8.00pm-9.00pm More4
LIVE: 5.30pm-9.00pm Sky Sports 2
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