American Football: NFL reveals plans for London game

Roger Goodell expects the Azteca Stadium to be sold out for a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals, the first regular-season game held outside the States. If the game generates the interest and attention expected by the league, future games could be heading to Europe and also to Asia.

"We want to hold or judgment on that until we've been through this, but we know there's growing interest in playing regular-season games [outside the US]," Goodell said.

Among the other destinations to be considered are Japan, China and Canada, as well as another game in Mexico.

The league chose Mexico City for its first regular-season game outside the US because of its proximity and the sport's growing popularity. Hispanics in the States also cite American football as their favourite sport, surpassing even football, according to the league.

The NFL has played several exhibition games in foreign countries in the last two decades, including a pre-season game between Indianapolis and Atlanta in Japan this year.

The 49ers and Cardinals will receive undisclosed financial considerations from the NFL to make the trip a profitable one.