The NFL has released new footage showing fans packed to the rafters as the Tottenham Hotspur stadium undergoes a stunning transformation to welcome the NFL to the United Kingdom.
The timelapse begins at the finale of Spurs' humiliating 7-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and runs through the course of several days as the pitch is turned into one that complies with NFL regulations.
The NFL emblem is then emblazoned on the centre of the turf while ground staff measure out the correct lengths of the pitch. The iconic goalposts are then erected while staff paint the distances on the grass from one end to the other.
The grass field used for Tottenham games is retractable, with an artificial turf used for NFL underneath.
From start to finish, it takes 25 minutes to retract the pitch and there are 99 steel trays joined together to make up the sliding pitch.
The grass pitch sits in three pitch-long steel sections, weighing more than 3,000 tonnes each.
Sections slide out simultaneously, before moving laterally to create the seamless surface.
The scoring zones are then measured out with Oakland etched into the turf and coloured in with white paint, with the rest of the zone painted black. A practice run of the stadium's light show then takes place as the hours before kick off trickle away.
Game day arrives and the timelapse shows the stadium begin to fill with fans ahead of the London Series opener. As the sun sets, the arena is at full capacity with the flags of the United States and Great Britain displayed on the turf moments before the game begins.
The flags are then whisked away off the field and the timelapse comes to an end as the game gets underway.
It's the first time the new stadium has hosted the NFL since it opened late last season, with the venue long planned to cater for the two sports.
The 60,000-capacity stadium hosted the opening game of the London Series between Oakland Raiders and the Chicago Bears, with the Raiders running out 24-21 winners after Josh Jacobs scored the crucial touchdown to separate the sides.
Due to the innovative technology used to change the pitch, no lasting damage will be done and Spurs will be able to play Watford once the international break reaches its conclusion.
prosperoa
0
@FCBayern look what you've done, scores are bout to go up
Dior226
0
Do Europeans watch American football? I think American football is watched by only be seen by Americans.
Missouri
0
Probably a big reason why they are doing so bad right now. Didn’t focus on the most important thing at the club which is the culture and the football.
Rose01
0
That is sick!!
went666
0
Cool 😎 have to visit.
Rocksaul
0
Beautiful stadium....
balcony
0
In return, us yanks request some EPL games stateside. Please.
Davidgardner
0
this looks awesome!
bulemooe
0
What a great stadium!!!!
terrifica
0
The raiders won’t know what direction to run unless there is a baseball field to play one.... u guys!!!
happylife
0
Hopefully they’ll put on the first entertaining display in the new stadium
Barnhart
0
Oh what a night ! And that stadium felt like I was watching a game in America. Not a finer venue in the entire NFL.
Trannyswwet
0
For so many reasons, petition to leave Tottenham Hotspur stadium as an NFL stadium forever starts here
deduce
0
I thought first NFL game was on Tuesday where Bayern won by touchdown only 😝
wozenm
0
Really need to get tickets next time. Looks awesome, and the stadium look swicked with American Football too
Armours
0
Loved it. Great game, great night & brilliant to see the Raiders win! Stadium was amazing in NFL mode & so much better than Wembley. Go Raiders!
ishti
2
chetas29
0
that's y the score was 7-2 they taught they were playing nfl
setalnty
1
let them get the stadium sold and use the money get trophies. sorry I meant player[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Classic_Dimple_Bwuoy
1
Tottenham will renovate it all the time[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
unstainz
0
Tottenham is trying to bring teams to their stadium to win trophy since they know they can't win one in their stadium