National Football League

Soccer team Tottenham could share new stadium with NFL team

Published Apr. 24, 2015 9:56 a.m. ET

foxsports

LONDON -- Wembley Stadium may not be the only London venue in the NFL's future.

Premier League club Tottenham is reportedly interested in hosting an NFL team at its planned new stadium if the NFL puts a full-time franchise in London.

British media reported that Tottenham's stadium could include a retractable playing surface that would allow grass and artificial turf to be alternated for soccer and American football games. That would avoid the damage to the grass turf that has been a problem at some of the NFL games at Wembley.

Tottenham's design for the 400 million pound, 61,000-seat stadium also includes larger locker rooms that could be used by NFL teams.

When asked for comment Friday, Tottenham said in a statement the club is "looking at options" for the design and use of the stadium. It did not elaborate.

Tottenham hopes to begin playing in the new stadium in the 2018-19 season.

The NFL has played at least one regular season game at Wembley, the home of England's national soccer team, every year since 2007. Three games were played at Wembley last season and three more are planned for the next.

NFL officials have said they would like to have a franchise in London one day, though no time frame has been announced and several logistical issues would need to be resolved.