NFL to play 4 games in London next season

The NFL will add a game to its overseas schedule in 2017, bringing the total number of games played in London to four.

"We continue to be incredibly excited by the passion and love for the NFL shown by our millions of UK fans," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "London is an amazing city. We have had tremendous support from our fans, from Mayor Khan and other government leaders and business partners, and we are looking forward to taking the next step in the UK by playing four games in London next season."

London mayor Sadiq Khan said he hopes the NFL will continue to progress toward eventually having a franchise permanently based in London.

"London is the international home of the NFL and staging the equivalent of what would be half an American football team’s home games in the city is a huge step towards my ambition of bringing a franchise to the capital," Khan said.

The matchups and dates for the four 2017 games will be announced Tuesday.