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Wembley seats 90,000 with an open field and if the first round of sales is any indication, people best lineup or get their dialing fingers ready for Round 2.

“This experience proves to us that fans will have to be quick to secure the remaining seats,” Kirkwood went on to say.

Along with the hype amongst the general public is action from the betting public, in fact although the game is about four and a half months away, odds are already being offered with the Giants being listed as 2½-point favorites and the total set at 42. Soccer betting has always been a big draw, but the NFL’s global growth plan seems to be taking hold; American football betting is no longer a fringe betting sport.

“NFL turnover is increasing year-on-year amongst the British public,” said Nick Weinberg of Ladbrokes’ PR Department.

“It’s certainly not the minority sport it used to be. Last season £25 million was gambled with British bookmakers on the NFL, up by 20 percent and the 2007/08 season turnover is expected to be at least double.”

With brisk ticket sales for the London regular season game and increase in NFL betting action, books are more than willing to offer more choices for punters.

“This season Ladbrokes will increase the range of markets on offer to punters, as well as offer more to our Bet-In-Play customers,” said Weinberg.

“20+ markets [will be available] per game, including first touchdown, first scoring play, and a slew of play props and inter game props.”

More NFL options for English punters? Perhaps that old Gatorade commercial had it right. Football is football.

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