Anas Sarwar would push for NFL game in Scotland if elected

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said he would push to bring an NFL game to Scotland if elected as first minister.

The American football league has been playing regular-season games abroad since 2007, with the first in the International Series taking place in London.

Nine international games have been slated for the 2026 season, due to start in September.

Three will take place in London, with others in Paris, Munich, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro.

Speaking ahead of the Super Bowl – the NFL’s annual championship game – Sarwar touted the potential economic benefits of hosting two of the league’s teams in Scotland as well as the country’s ties to the sport.

“In Scotland, we have a history with this sport with the Scottish Claymores – and as the NFL looks to expand internationally, I want Scotland at the front of the queue to host a game, with all the associated economic benefits that brings,” the Scottish Labour leader said.

“That’s what an ambitious Brand Scotland agenda should be all about – selling Scotland to the world.

“We host incredible international events all the time in Scotland – from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour to the Commonwealth Games and the Euros in 2028.

“Scotland is a world-class destination for live events.

“The NFL should be next on that list, alongside the investment and trade it will bring to Scotland.

“As first minister, I’ll work to bring an NFL game to Scotland and make sure Scotland is seen as a world-class destination for investment and events.”

Tens of thousands of fans regularly descend on host cities, with Dublin reporting a boost of 64 million euros when the Irish capital hosted a game last year.