The NFL season kickoff isn’t only about the sound of pads colliding on the field or the roar of large crowds – it marks the beginning of a cherished tradition unlike any other, fantasy football. As the NFL season launches, so does the fantasy football season, bringing friends, coworkers and families together in the spirit of competition and camaraderie. In 2022, there were an estimated 62.5 million people who played fantasy sports in the U.S. and Canada, according to the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association.
The days leading up to the NFL season’s opening game are a whirlwind of anticipation and excitement. Fans eagerly analyze player stats, strategize draft picks, and gather with their fantasy football leagues. As fantasy enthusiasts assemble their dream teams, they unknowingly commence a season-long journey filled with ups and downs.
Chiefs vs Bears, 2023
Maddie Westergard
Fantasy football isn’t just about the game – it’s about the people. It’s a shared experience that brings people closer together. Friends become frenemies, coworkers become rivals, and families find new ways to connect. The camaraderie that develops in fantasy leagues goes beyond just the digital realm; it’s the subject of water cooler conversations, group chats and Sunday afternoon gatherings.
The start of the NFL season also brings a lot of unexpected twists and turns on and off the field. In the world of pop culture, there’s buzz about Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs star tight end, Travis Kelce, sharing more than just a love for their respective crafts.
There’s no denying that thousands of new fans were tuned in to the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Major news outlets, sports journalists and social media stars couldn’t get enough of the surprise attendance of Taylor Swift at the game. In fact, Travis Kelce’s jersey was a top 5 selling jersey and saw a 400% increase in sales after the game, a spokesperson for Fanatics told CNN. This budding romance could be introducing a whole new crowd of Swifties into the world of NFL football, meaning more jersey sales, viewers and fans worldwide.
“Working in content and social media today is very exciting in the sports and entertainment world,” said Matthew Dieleman, content specialist at TFL. ”Each week brings thrilling news like the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce relationship. We really are in a time where creativity knows no bounds and any piece of content or social post has the potential to make history in this era of connection and engagement.”
The appeal of the NFL and fantasy football also extends beyond the American borders. With each passing year, the league’s international fan base grows exponentially. Fans from Europe, Asia, and beyond are tuning in to watch American football and becoming increasingly passionate about the game.
The NFL International Series launched in 2007 at London’s Wembley Stadium and, since then, has played 35 regular season games in London and four in Mexico City. The NFL has started to expand to Germany as well, committing to play regular season games in the country for the next few years. The city of Frankfurt, Germany will be the hosts for two games this season, marking the second German city where an NFL game will be played. The Miami Dolphins will take on The Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 5 to kick off the slate of games in Germany this year.
“The Hunt family has long prioritized growing the NFL and the game of football both domestically and internationally, and that continues to this day under the leadership of our Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt,” said Lara Krug, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Kansas City Chiefs. “We aggressively pursued securing marketing rights in Germany and Mexico from the NFL because we know that there is deep fan avidity and a strong understanding of the game in those markets.”
The NFL’s global expansion efforts are working. International NFL fan clubs have sprouted up, bringing together fans from diverse backgrounds. In countries like the UK, Mexico and Germany, NFL games are part of the regular sports calendar that draw massive sellout crowds and ignite local enthusiasm for American football. Now more than ever, fans want to watch their teams play live and in person.
Fantasy football knows no geographical boundaries. It’s a universal language that fans from different countries speak fluently. The advent of online platforms and technology has enabled fans from all corners of the globe to participate in fantasy leagues, creating connections that transcend borders.
International football enthusiasts are no longer outliers; they’re an integral part of the NFL and fantasy football community. The NFL and fantasy football serve as a reminder that sports have the power to unite people from all walks of life, making a true global community of fans.
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