Tottenham Hotspur announce 10-year deal with NFL to host games at new stadium

Tottenham Hotspur have announced a new 10-year agreement with the NFL (National Football League) that will see a minimum of two NFL games a year played at the club's new stadium.

The Premier League side are scheduled to move into their new 61,000-capacity venue in time for the 2018-19 season.

The new stadium will feature a retractable grass pitch with an artificial underneath for NFL games.

A statement from Tottenham read: "With growing enthusiasm for the NFL in the United Kingdom, we are committed to hosting NFL games in world-class venues and are excited to partner with Tottenham Hotspur to play games at their future stadium," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "We share a vision and commitment to creating the best experience for our teams, fans and the local community."

The statement adds that in the addition to the minimum of two games per year at Tottenham's new stadium, other NFL games may take place at different venues in the UK during the span of the 10-year agreement.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said: "We have an opportunity now to deliver one of the most unique sports, leisure and entertainment venues in the world, bringing together the EPL [Premier League] and NFL for the first time," said the Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy.

"The socio-economic benefits this will bring to the area will be immense and demonstrates our commitment to the regeneration of this priority borough in London."

Tottenham will release images of the new designs to accommodate these changes in due course.

The Jacksonville Jaguars currently have a deal in place where they play one game a season at Wembley, which runs until 2016. Wembley has already hosted 11 NFL fixtures, with three more scheduled for later in 2015.

Wembley Stadium have since issued their own statement, declaring their hopes to maintain a close relationship with the NFL despite Tottenham's new agreement.

"Wembley Stadium has a proven record of hosting some of the world's biggest events, from record breaking concerts, UEFA Champions League Finals, to the upcoming Rugby World Cup fixtures and the UEFA 2020 European Championship Semi-Finals and Final and we look forward to the NFL remaining part of this iconic venue's annual schedule."