American Football at University: How a new BUCS League will change the sport as we know it

American football has always been popular in the UK, but recently, the UK fanbase has reached an all-time high: this year’s Super Bowl was the most-watched on record for UK viewers (3.4 million viewers, up 48% from 2023). However, it is not just support which is increasing, as the sport is now significantly more popular at university level, so much so, that BUCS have formed a brand new American Football National League, for the UK’s most competitive institutions.

Due to the frequency of ‘blowout victories’ (victories of over 35 points) the organisation decided to create the more prestigious, Premier National League

American football became officially recognised by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) in 2012. Now, the sport is made up of 15 leagues, with 4,000 students competing across the country every Sunday. Previously, the BUCS structure consisted of the Premier North and Premier South, plus six regional Tier 1 divisions, and six regional Tier 2 divisions. However, due to the frequency of ‘blowout victories’ (victories of over 35 points) the organisation decided to create the more prestigious, Premier National League. Promotion and relegation between these leagues is possible, with a play-off taking place between the winner of the Premiership league and 5th place in the National League at the end of the season, to maintain the sport’s competitive elements.

This season, the league is composed of UWE (national champions from Premier South) Leeds Beckett, Durham, Nottingham and Loughborough (qualified from Premier North).

Manager of the BUCS American Football Programme, Tonye Dokubo describes this new league as “a massive step for the sport within BUCS” but equally “in the UK as a whole”. According to him, the league “provides a higher level of competition” in a sport which he considers to be “one of the best kept secrets in the sporting landscape”.

The Wembley game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots even broke the UK’s all-time attendance record for an NFL match, with over 86,600 fans present

It is clear then, that this spike in competition at university level has been influenced by the sport’s increased presence in the UK professionally. Since 2007, the NFL have competed in the UK in various capacities, as part of their initiative to promote the game abroad. This year saw three games taking place in London; two at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Wembley Stadium. The Wembley game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots even broke the UK’s all time attendance record for an NFL match, with over 86,600 fans present.

As part of these trans-Atlantic initiatives, in May 2019 the NFL introduced the NFL Academy : their development program, seeking to create “pathways for international talent” by combining full-time education with intensive training. The academy has one campus in Australia and one in the UK, in partnership with Loughborough University and Loughborough College. Since its inception, more than 40 students have secured football scholarships at US colleges, with 19 playing in the highest division of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).

In terms of the situation at Warwick, the Wolves compete in the Premier North division, alongside five other universities. One of these being NTU Renegades, whom Warwick beat 7-6 during the Touchdown event at Butts Park Arena last Sunday. Their next home match will take place against Newcastle Raiders this Sunday, November 10th. Check out their Instagram, @warwickwolves for more information on this and any future events.