HOW TO WATCH THE NEW YORK JETS DURING THE 2024 NFL SEASON

The 2024 NFL season kicks off this weekend, with the New York Jets taking to the field on Monday for their curtain-raiser against the San Francisco 49ers.

 

After a nine month hiatus, Jets football returns, with a schedule that includes a game in London, six primetime games in the first 11 weeks and season-ending rivalry games with the Bills and Dolphins.

 

Fans wanting to follow the action live have got a number of options from the UK and Ireland. To watch every minute of every game, NFL Game Pass on DAZN provides season-long access to live games, 40 minute recaps plus additional programming including documentaries and archived games.

 

With New York Jets FC, fans can subscribe to the ‘MVP’ membership tier to gain full access to NFL Game Pass, plus a host of other benefits including merchandise discounts and exclusive giveaways – so make sure to sign up now and enjoy the full season access.

 

Away from Game Pass, Sky Sports subscribers will be able to watch every primetime game that the Jets play in (Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football), plus select games from the 6pm and 9pm windows, depending on weekly scheduling.

 

Sky Sports will also be airing ‘One Jets Drive’, the Emmy-award winning in-season documentary produced by the New York Jets in-house production team.

 

There will also be free-to-air options for Jets fans through the season, highlighted by the week five game in London which will be shown live on ITV. Alongside this, every Monday Night Football game, including the season opener, will be live on Channel 5.

 

For radio listeners, talkSPORT will be providing season-long coverage of the Jets, including live broadcasts of 10+ games with exclusive interviews and content too.

 

Finally, on our Jets UK and Ireland social media channels, we will have the usual gameday coverage of every contest all season long with video highlights and to-the-minute updates!

HOW TO WATCH THE NEW YORK JETS PRESEASON IN THE UK AND IRELAND

After a long hiatus, New York Jets football is returning to our screens!

The Jets get their preseason campaign underway on Saturday 10th August against the Washington Commanders, with further contests to come against the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants.

Every minute of the Jets’ preseason schedule will be available to watch live on the New York Jets website for fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Fans in the United Kingdom can access the live streams at the links below, which will go live when each game begins:

vs WAS: CLICK HERE

@CAR: CLICK HERE

vs NYG: CLICK HERE

And fans in Ireland can access the live streams through the links below:

vs WAS: CLICK HERE

@CAR: CLICK HERE

vs NYG: CLICK HERE

Fans in the United Kingdom will alternatively be able to watch our final preseason game against crosstown rivals the New York Giants live on Sky Sports Mix. The game kicks off in the early hours of Sunday 25 August at 12:30AM.

The Jets will then have a week off before their regular season schedule gets underway on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers, live on Sky Sports and Game Pass International!

NEWS
NEW YORK JETS INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP CLUB OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES IN UK & IRELAND

The New York Jets are delighted to announce the launch of their new international membership club, New York Jets Fan Club (NY Jets FC), for fans in the UK and Ireland!

Sign ups to NY Jets FC will be automatically placed into the ‘Rookie’ tier, with the option to upgrade to ‘MVP’ (£159.99 UK or €179.99 IRE). ‘Rookie’ tier members will enjoy a host of benefits, including a one-off Weekly Pro Game Pass International (GPI) code, entry into a London Games ticket ballot, merchandise discounts, a digital membership card, priority access to tickets at MetLife Stadium and Jets events in the UK, exclusive sweepstakes and more.

MVP members will earn access to GPI Season Pro, a full-season subscription to stream every NFL game including the Playoffs and Super Bowl, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, Hard Knocks and more for the entire ’24-’25 season. MVPs also have a greater chance to obtain London Games tickets, increased merchandise discounts, a physical membership card with a game-worn Jets jersey inlay, and access to virtual meet-and-greets with current and former Jets stars. See below for a full breakdown of benefits at each membership tier.

To celebrate the launch of NY Jets FC, new members will have the opportunity to enter an exclusive launch giveaway for the chance to win an autographed Aaron Rodgers Jets Football and a signed Legacy White Quincy Williams Jersey. Running from 31st July to 20th August 2024, fans can sign up to become a member at nyjetsinternational.com and activate their membership account to learn more.

Commenting on the launch of the new international membership club, John MacCarter, New York Jets Vice President, Finance and Analytics, commented, “After spending time connecting and listening to fans outside of the US we are pleased to introduce New York Jets FC to fans everywhere. The UK and Ireland are two important markets for the Jets, and we are excited to offer this growing fan base a new touchpoint to engage with us. We hope that the bespoke and unique offerings of New York Jets FC will continue to strengthen the bond and connection that our international fans feel with the team.”

NY Jets FC furthers the team’s commitment to its UK and Ireland fanbases, where they were awarded marketing rights through the NFL’s Global Markets Program (formerly IHMA) in 2022 and 2024, respectively. The Global Markets Program awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S. through fan engagement, events, and commercial opportunities.

The news also comes ahead of the team’s highly anticipated return to the UK on October 6th to take on the Minnesota Vikings at the 2024 London Games. The game marks the team’s third trip to London, having previously played the Miami Dolphins (2015) and the Atlanta Falcons (2021).

As part of its commitment to the UK and Ireland, the team, in partnership with Charles Tyrwhitt, is also providing an opportunity to ‘Jet Across the Pond.’ From 31st July to 10th September 2024, UK and Ireland residents can win a three-night stay in New York, tickets for the New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills (14th October) and two $500 Charles Tyrwhitt gift cards. Fans can enter on the fan zone page now!

More information about NY Jets FC and how to join can be found at nyjetsinternational.com, and members can access their membership portal at https://members.nyjetsinternational.com. Please note that members must be 18 years of age or older and reside in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

NEWS
JETS INTRODUCE “THE CLASSIC” THROWBACK UNIFORM

As the 2024 New York Jets reported for training camp, the organization paid tribute to its past with the unveiling of “The Classic” uniform.  “The Classic” is both a nod to the regalia the team wore in their 1968 championship season and the familiar design of the uniform worn from 1998-2018.

On Monday, Oct. 14th, the team will debut “The Classic” when they host the Bills at MetLife Stadium.

“The Classic” fills the fourth available spot in the team’s “closet” and is part of a larger NFL platform. With white jerseys and white pants, the Jets classic uniform pays homage to the attire the team sported during their Super Bowl III landmark triumph over the Baltimore Colts. “The Classic” also has a clean front with no patch as a tribute to the ’68 jersey along with the same number and letter fonts.

The helmet, updated with a gray facemask to replicate the 1968 headgear, features the same white shell and the same logo from 1998-2018. The green in the decal and stripes matches the team’s current “Legacy Green”, which is an in-between shade between the 1968 Kelly Green and the 1998-2018 Hunter Green.

During the Jets’ April rebrand and unveiling of three “Legacy Collection” uniform versions, the team introduced the legacy black uniform/helmet as its alternate uniform. The Jets will don their black uniform on Halloween when they play host to the Houston Texans for a Thursday night clash.

With the “Legacy” and “Classic” ensembles reintroduced over the past four months, the Jets are making a return to their two most iconic identities to the field. Not only was “The Classic” worn for one of the most significant moments in pro football history but it provides the franchise an opportunity to highlight a uniform worn by 15 of its 19 players in its Ring of Honor. And on Oct. 14 vs. the Bills for one night only, the Jets will hit rewind to a familiar sight as a timeless tradition lives on.

NEWS
NEW YORK JETS TO PLAY IN LONDON IN 2024

The Jets will return to London in 2024, lining up as a visitor against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 6 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The game will kick off at 2:30pm locally in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The international contest will mark the Jets’ second game in Tottenham in three years. Also the “road” team at the stadium referred to by some as “New White Hart Lane,” the Jets dropped a 27-20 contest to the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.

On draft weekend, the Jets and the Vikings engaged in a pick-swap that saw the Vikings move up one spot in Round 1 to select Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy while the Jets dropped to No. 11, gaining valuable draft capital and selecting Penn State T Olu Fashanu.

Aaron Rodgers will be expected to make his Jets’ London debut after returning from an Achilles tear he sustained in the 2023 season opener against the Bills. In 29 regular-season games against the Vikings, the former Packers gunslinger owns a 17-11-1 mark while having hit on 68% of his passes for 7,157 yards with 57 TDs and 8 INTs.

The Jets defense could face Sam Darnold across the pond. Darnold, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, or McCarthy will look to get the ball into the hands of Justin Jefferson, who amassed 1,074 yards receiving in just 10 games last season and averaged 15.8 yards a catch. Sauce Gardner, the Jets’ two-time first-team All-Pro, has repeatedly stepped up to all his assignments stateside and will be poised for a marquee international individual matchup.

Garrett Wilson, the only Jet to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons, had a career-high 162 yards receiving in the Jets’ 27-22 loss at Minnesota on Dec. 4, 2022.

This year’s London game will be the sixth game played by the Jets outside the United States. In the regular season, the Jets have won twice on the international stage, both Ws as road teams: by 19-13 over the Bills in Toronto in 2009 before a 27-14 takedown of the Dolphins at Wembley Stadium in 2015.

The Jets are 8-4 all-time vs. the Vikings and 3-3 when designated the road club in the series.

The NFL will feature five international games in 2024 with three designated in London: two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a third at Wembley Stadium, where the Jacksonville Jaguars will play a home game as part of a multi-year partnership. The Eagles and Packers will kick off the season Sept. 6 at Corinthians Arena in Sau Paulo Brazil São Paulo, Brazil. The NFL is also returning to Germany for a third consecutive season for a Panthers “home” game at Allianz Arena in Munich.

Since the NFL started playing internationally in 2005, a total of 50 international regular-season games have been staged with London (36), Toronto (6), Mexico City (5), Frankfurt (2) and Munich (1) all playing host to NFL teams.

The Jets full 2024 schedule has also been revealed, with the matchups detailed below along with UK & Ireland timings!

NEWS
NEW YORK JETS AND VITACHOLINE ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP

New York Jets Announce Multi-Year Partnership with VitaCholine®

First Professional Sports Partnership for VitaCholine® encompasses rights across regions including the United States and the United Kingdom.

May 2, 2024 – The New York Jets announced a partnership with VitaCholine, a Balchem Human Nutrition and Health brand of the essential nutrient choline, as Proud Partner of the team. This agreement marks VitaCholine’s first sponsorship and the first sponsorship in the Nutritional Ingredient category of a major professional sports team. The multi-year agreement includes entitlement of the New York Jets official website NewYorkJets.com, grants territorial rights in both the United States and United Kingdom, as well as presenting partner of a Jets road game.

“This exciting new partnership with VitaCholine is unlike any other brand collaboration that we have ever conducted,” said Jeff Fernandez, Vice President of Business Development + Ventures at the New York Jets. “There is a renewed awareness of nutrition and self-care emerging all around us, and VitaCholine, along with its parent company Balchem, are committed to making the world a healthier place. It is rare to have the opportunity to align with such an innovative company who are also leaders in corporate responsibility. We believe their message will resonate with Jets fans and serve to help improve the well-being of so many in our market.”

This partnership is a first of its kind, not only for Balchem, but also for the New York Jets. According to the Nutrition Business Journal, VitaCholine is part of a $61 Billion retail category,[i] affirming a renewed commitment to self-care in the wake of the pandemic. Consumers are increasingly looking for solutions to support both mental and physical performance. Nutrients like VitaCholine, supported by science, offer options that may not be easily attainable through diet alone. The brands are a great fit, pairing a leading sports franchise that depends on precision and accuracy with a nutrient that has been clinically shown to convey accuracy benefits by supporting muscle control.[ii]

Raising awareness for the benefits and accessibility of VitaCholine is an important aspect of the Jets partnership. To that end, VitaCholine will become the presenting partner of the Jets official website NewYorkJets.com, receiving prominent evergreen branding at the top of each page on the site. VitaCholine will also have significant presence at MetLife Stadium with impactful exposure on stadium signage.

During one road game per season, VitaCholine will serve as the presenting partner for the Jets. In this role, VitaCholine will be prominently featured in all communications and marketing materials associated with the game.

“This is a pivotal moment for both choline and particularly VitaCholine, as awareness of the many health benefits of the essential nutrient continues to expand”, said Dominik Mattern, Vice President Marketing, Business Development and Science at Balchem. “Choline’s crucial role in pregnancy has been well-established by experts. Now, with emerging clinical evidence showcasing its positive effects on adult mental performance and physical wellness, it’s an ideal time to embark on this dynamic partnership with the New York Jets. Their vibrant energy mirrors the vitality and dynamism of our brand and the city they represent.”

In addition to being the latest partnership in the U.S., VitaCholine becomes the Jets seventh partnership in the United Kingdom. This partnership gives VitaCholine an opportunity to strengthen its brand presence throughout the region.

The Jets were awarded international marketing rights to the UK in 2022 as part of the NFL’s International HMA Initiative. The initiative provided all 32 NFL clubs the right to pursue and bid on international markets with the goal of globally expanding the game of American football.

About Balchem

Balchem’s vision is to make the world a healthier place and our nutrients provide tangible, clinically validated solutions in growing segments like cognition, performance and lifelong well-being, not only for athletes, but for everyday consumers across all stages of the lifespan. They are committed to finding innovative solutions to some of the most complex problems facing the nutrition, health, and food markets. Balchem Human Nutrition & Health delivers customized ingredient systems and key minerals and nutrients for the food, nutrient, and pharmaceutical markets. Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health is a global leader in choline production, nutrient encapsulation, chelated minerals, and functional ingredients. Balchem Specialty Products provides specialty-packaged solutions for use in healthcare and other industries, and also provides chelated minerals to the micronutrient agricultural market.

About VitaCholine

Choline is an essential nutrient, critical for cognition, performance, metabolism, and cellular health for all. Our bodies produce limited amounts of choline, but not enough to meet our needs so we need to get it through our diet. VitaCholine® is Balchem’s clinically studied, high quality human choline with the highest choline content and the fastest absorption among competitive forms.

Learn more at vitacholine.com.

About New York Jets

The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the New York Titans, an original member of the American Football Leage (AFL). The Jets won Super Bowl III, defeating the NFL’s Baltimore Colts in 1969. In 1970, the franchise joined the National Football League in the historic AFL–NFL merger that set the foundation for today’s league. As part of a commitment to its fan base through innovation and experiences, the team has created initiatives such as, its trailblazing Jets Rewards program, a state-of-the-art mobile app, and 1JD Entertainment, a comprehensive content platform that gives fans greater access to the team across all digital and social platforms. The organization takes great pride in a long-standing, year-round commitment to their community. These programs are funded by the New York Jets Foundation and look to positively influence the lives of young men and women in the tri-state area, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The organization supports the efforts of the Lupus Research Alliance, youth football and numerous established charitable organizations and causes sponsored by the NFL. The New York Jets play in MetLife Stadium, which opened in 2010, and are headquartered at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. For more information about the New York Jets visit newyorkjets.com.

[i] Naber, M., Hommel, B. & Colzato, L. Improved human visuomotor performance and pupil constriction after choline supplementation in a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Sci Rep 5, 13188 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep13188

NEWS
NEW YORK JETS SELECT SEVEN PLAYERS IN EVENTFUL 2024 NFL DRAFT

Unicorn, a fictional creature often used to describe highly unusual, highly exciting people, such as athletes, can also be applied to objects as well as subjects.

Such as the 2024 NFL Draft. As NFL Network’s Rich Eisen said with the seventh round winding down toward the Jets’ selection of Alabama S Jaylen Key as Mr. Irrelevant, “This draft has been record-setting on so many fronts.”

We’ll leave it to the national writers and talking heads to dissect how record-setting the draft truly was in terms of attendance, quarterbacks taken and then not taken, TV ratings and the depth of positions like wideout and tackle. But the same wild and woolly adjectives could be used to describe the Jets’ draft in microcosm.

In general, GM Joe Douglas and HC Robert Saleh seemed happy with the seven selections that were made over the last three days and nights.

“We felt like we had a lot of fun over the weekend,” Douglas said. “We added very good players to this team, and our types of guys,” Douglas said. “The board kind of fell our way and we were able to trade back and get guys we wanted.”

And the way it unfolded, this Jets draft was a unicorn in franchise history. Let us count the ways.

Offensive First 5 Selections

One quality that jumped out about the Green & White’s draft class: It was quite offensive.

For sure, the first five selections answered questions and filled holes on offense, from first-round T Olu Fashanu to Round 3 WR Malachi Corley to RBs Braelon Allen in the fourth round and Isaiah Davis in Round 5 to the anticipated day three selection of a QB prospect, and a promising one at that in FSU’s Jordan Travis, also in Round 5.

When was the last time the Jets took offensive players in even their first four selections? Those have been few and far between. The first Douglas/Saleh draft in ’21 had four offensive picks topped by QB Zach Wilson. Before that, we have to go back to 1983, marqueed by QB Ken O’Brien.

And the last Jets draft to go 5-for-its-first-5 on offense? This weekend’s draft was the first.

No secret that the Jets offense needed care and feeding this offseason, but Douglas swore the offensive avalanche was unintentional: “I think honestly it just fell that way with the board.”

A Cavalcade of Trades

Technically, for only the second time in franchise history, the Jets conducted an entire draft without spending one pick that was originally theirs when the full draft order was first established. We say technically because the Jets did hold onto No. 257, their third compensatory pick of this draft, the final pick of 2024 and thus the pick that identifies “Mr. Irrelevant.” It wasn’t a pick they started the offseason with but in March the comps were handed out and 257 then went to the Jets.

The only draft unquestionably without an “own pick” by the Jets was 2007, the Darrelle Revis/David Harris four-pick draft conducted by GM Mike Tannenbaum. Other Jets drafts with one own pick were 2022 (fourth overall CB Sauce Gardner the only own pick) and 2009 (sixth-round G Matt Slauson the only own pick).

“I was answering more calls today than making calls,” the GM said. “Calls were made, offers were made, we took a look at the board. … We were fired up to be able to move back, pick up a premium pick in ’25 [a fourth-rounder for next year’s No. 3 from Detroit in the first trade the Jets and Lions made in 15 years]. There were some pretty cool opportunities that came about.”

Most Draft Picks Held

The reason the Jets had no own picks is because they kept making those trades. Every one of their first six selections were acquired through trade. Douglas set personal records with four day-three trades and six total in-draft trades, and that doesn’t count a seventh trade, sending John Franklin-Myers to Denver for a Round 6 pick in 2026!

As a result of the trades, the Jets held, at one time or another, for a week, a day or a minute, 22 different draft choices. Seven they used on players. Fifteen they either held originally and traded, or traded for and then traded away.

Only once before in the NFL Common Draft era beginning in 1968 did the Jets hold 22 different picks in one draft, and that happened a full half-century ago. In 1974, the draft lasted 17 rounds. The Jets used 16 of their own picks that year, with Carl Barzilauskas going sixth overall up top. They traded for five other picks, and traded away one pick in a six-body deal with New Orleans. (In the AFL Draft days, the team annually had single draft selections rise into the mid-20s.)

Bottom Line ’24

All of these items are interesting but not necessarily important in the NFL scheme of things. Same goes for other trivia, such as fourth-round Braelon Allen being the youngest drafted player this year and will be 20 years old throughout his Jets rookie season. Or fifth-round DB Qwan’tez Stiggers being draft-eligible after a year in the CFL. Or Malachi Corley’s YAC dimension being available for a short tradeup to the top of Round 3.

But the trivia isn’t as important as what the Jets set out to accomplish over the past three days.

As Saleh said about this offseason’s offensive facelift, “It’s a good group all the way across the board. A lot of great competition, a lot of great character, a lot of guys coming in to work who are intrinsically motivated. We’ll throw it out there and see how the cards shake out.”

“I feel like we had a plan,” Douglas said, speaking of the entire roster. “We tried to keep the main thing the main thing throughout the offseason. We feel we stuck to what we tried to do and tried to avoid distractions and not waver from our process. We’ve been able to do that.

“Look, were excited about the team. We’re excited to get this thing going.”

NEWS
NEW YORK JETS UNVEIL NEW UNIFORMS AHEAD OF THE 2024 SEASON

Two months after Jets Chairman Woody Johnson informed fans the team will unveil new uniforms in April, a new legacy was born Monday morning. The Jets “Legacy Collection” with three uniform versions – legacy green, legacy white and legacy black – is a nod to the Sack Exchange era (1979-89) while modernizing and improving the iconic logo that resonates with all generations of fans.

“We work for the fans,” said Jets Chairman Woody Johnson. “They have consistently asked for us to return to our roots and we heard them. The new uniforms are explicitly designed to look and feel like the New York Jets while refreshing the club’s iconic logo – viewed by fans as our most identifiable mark.”

The team’s new regalia pay tribute to a historical time in the club’s history while taking advantage of technology advancements in the industry. The legacy jerseys will sport double-stripe shoulders and single-stripe pants, the same design the team wore from 1979-89.

“Recreating our uniforms, as well as developing a modernized look for the organization signifies our commitment to progress, remaining innovative, and delivering excellence to our players and fans,” said Jets president Hymie Elhai. “Elevating the New York Jets identity with a refreshed uniform embodies the unity, and a timeless sense of the Sack Exchange era, while empowering every player and generations of fans to stand out and stay true to our team’s heritage.”

The new Legacy uniforms include a refresher of the club’s iconic Sack Exchange logo, featuring custom typeface with bolder composition, a refined pointed nose of plane for a faster look and feel and tighter spacing between characters with consistent angles. The modernized Jets logo will be added to each helmet shell, with either a white or green face mask. Due to the popularity of the bespoke green and matte black, the helmet shells colors will remain the same.

A full suite of secondary logos has been developed to reinforce and expand the Jets brand identity. These logos incorporate key characteristics of the primary mark, including font, color and in some instances the distinctive shape of the Jet.

Jets fans have an opportunity to upgrade their wardrobe with the newest Jets apparel. A new collection of Jets wear has launched on NFL Shop Europe that features jerseys, jackets, hoodies, caps, and t-shirts, all with the new legacy logo. Fans can also purchase the new apparel on gamedays at the official Jets Shop at MetLife Stadium.

NEWS
NEW YORK JETS ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS INTO IRELAND

NEW YORK JETS AWARDED RIGHTS TO BUILD GLOBAL BRAND IN IRELAND

March 25, 2024 – The New York Jets today have been awarded rights to expand their brand and activities for Ireland as part of NFL’s ‘Global Markets Program.’

The initiative launched by the National Football League in 2022 awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom internationally, through fan engagement, events, and commercial opportunities.

The New York Jets can now look to engage Ireland ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft and through activities in the future with watch parties, community experiences, player visits, and event activations.

The New York Jets were founded in 1959 and won Super Bowl III in 1969. The team is recognised for its iconic green and white uniforms that were chosen by former owner Sonny Werblin due to his birthday falling on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Team President, Hymie Elhai said, “New York and Ireland have deep historical ties and we are thrilled to have an opportunity to connect with the country’s communities. As a franchise, we look forward to making an impact throughout Ireland by engaging sport fans and members of the community-at-large in an authentic way by familiarizing them with the New York Jets, how we operate, and the way we engage our fans.”

With the announcement, the team will be awarded rights for at least a five-year term and will join other clubs expanding into new markets as part of the NFL’s long-term strategy to enable clubs to build their brands globally while driving NFL fan growth beyond the US. Previous years have seen participating clubs activate their rights around several NFL tentpole moments, including the Pro Bowl Games and International Games in London, Germany, and Mexico.

In 2022, the New York Jets were awarded marketing rights to the United Kingdom as part of the NFL’s ‘Global Markets Program’ (formerly, IHMA). The Jets activated these rights by launching their first-ever UK-focused social channels, @NYJetsinUK on X and @newyorkjetsinUK on Instagram. Since 2022, they have been providing UK fans with exclusive sweepstakes and physical touchpoints with players and legends at official watch parties and other events.

The New York Jets notably increased awareness around flag football, creating more opportunities for young girls by launching the first-ever NFL league for girls in the UK: the Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag league, which returned for its second year in 2024.

“The New York Jets have driven significant impact and growth in the UK through the league’s Global Markets Program since its launch in 2022. We are delighted to see them expand their rights and become the third NFL team to make a similar commitment to Ireland,” said Henry Hodgson, GM of NFL UK & Ireland. “Interest in the NFL in Ireland is growing at a tremendous pace and the NFL look forward to working together with the Jets to engage more fans in the market in the coming years.”

To keep updated on the latest New York Jets news in Ireland and to hear about their upcoming activities, please visit, www.newyorkjets.com. Follow them on social platforms @NYJets on X and on Instagram.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK JETS

The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the New York Titans, an original member of the American Football League (AFL). The Jets won Super Bowl III, defeating the NFL’s Baltimore Colts in 1969 while in 1970, the franchise joined the National Football League in the historic AFL–NFL merger that set the foundation for today’s league. Former owner Sonny Werblin led a syndicate that purchased the team prior to the 1963 season and renamed it the Jets, the entire uniform was redesigned and replaced. Navy and gold were abandoned in favor of Kelly Green and White. Werblin had embraced those colors because he was born on Saint Patrick’s Day and the colors resemble the Irish flag.

About the National Football League

The National Football League is America’s most popular sports league, comprised of 32 franchises that compete each year to win the Super Bowl, the world’s biggest annual sporting event. Founded in 1920, the NFL developed the model for the successful modern sports league, including national and international distribution, extensive revenue sharing, competitive excellence, and strong franchises across the country.

ABOUT THE GLOBAL MARKETS PROGRAM

Launched in January 2022, the Global Markets Program (GMP, formerly IHMA) initiative grants NFL clubs’ access to international territories for marketing, fan engagement and commercialization as part of a long-term, strategic effort to enable clubs to build their global brands while driving NFL fan growth internationally. The Jets threw the first ever international draft party in London in 2022. Ten clubs used the 2022 NFL Draft to highlight their international marketing efforts by announcing draft picks from iconic locations within their respective territories. Twenty-one clubs participated in the program in 2023 across 14 international markets, up from 19 participating clubs across 10 markets in 2022. Additionally, several other clubs hosted in-market watch parties, youth football activations and influencer events to build excitement for the NFL Draft in their new markets. Highlights include a collective commitment and ambition to growing flag football in international markets, with a focus on building community experiences to engage young people in the sport.

NEWS
NEW YORK JETS AND CHICAGO BEARS EXPAND GIRLS NFL FLAG LEAGUE

NEW YORK JETS AND CHICAGO BEARS EXPAND GIRLS NFL FLAG LEAGUE AHEAD OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

  • The two NFL Franchises launched second year of the Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag football league, at AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium, with over 200 girls from 21 schools in attendance
  • The girls were joined by prominent figures from the NFL, including Quincy Williams (New York Jets), Tremaine Edmunds (Chicago Bears), Jason Bell (Former NFL player and UK broadcaster) and members of the Great Britain Women’s Flag Football Team Ellie Thorpe, Kellie Barrett and Kate Bruinvels 
  • The expanded league has been designed to provide girls with access to sport and the ability to develop unique skills that will have a positive impact on their lives
  • Flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles

7 March 2024 – Ahead of International Women’s Day, the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears have announced the expansion of the Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag league, the first UK all-girls competition of its kind.

Over 200 girls from 21 participating schools kicked off the league with a unique NFL Flag football experience at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in Southwest London, home to AFC Wimbledon. The league returns following a successful inaugural season in 2023 based in the London borough of Ealing, with participation numbers more than doubling from 120 to 260 and now including multiple London boroughs.

The girls were joined at the launch by current New York Jets Team MVP Quincy Williams and Chicago Bears Defensive Captain Tremaine Edmunds. Also in attendance were current Great Britain Women’s Flag stars Ellie Thorpe, Kellie Barrett and Kate Bruinvels – hoping to inspire the next generation of flag football stars ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at LA28.

Former NFL player and current UK broadcaster Jason Bell, a father to a young daughter himself, joined the players on the day to witness the unique experience offered to the girls.

Flag football is the non-contact format of American football that empowers young athletes, both boys and girls, around the world. The game is fun, exciting, and accessible for all, with women and girls driving some of the fastest growth in the sport.

The Jets and Bears aim to empower girls through NFL Flag, a game that offers a supportive team environment and a great social atmosphere. Together, the girls plan and execute winning plays, building life-long psychological skills in strategy, communication, and resilience, and can promote healthy mental wellbeing for the future.

At the launch event, the girls received their official team kit from Nike who are the league presenting partner and had an NFL Flag taster session led by NFL coaches as well as a host of other fun skill-based activities, including Cornhole, Shuffleboard, 360 Photo Booth, and a bespoke Media workshop.

Starting from the 15th of April, the second year will see over 260 girls from 21 schools compete in two conferences across the London boroughs of Ealing and Lambeth. The Jets and Bears will each run a conference, with the winners going head-to-head in a Championship Event on May 20th.

The eventual winners of the league will follow in the footsteps of last year’s champions, Ealing Fields, and receive an invite to attend the 2024 London Games as special guests.

New York Jets stated: “We are delighted to strengthen our commitment to the UK youth this year and expand the Girls Flag league. As a franchise, we are committed to growing female participation in sports at every opportunity. NFL Flag provides a sustainable way to achieve this while teaching young girls life lessons that will have an impact far beyond the football field. We have seen Jets fandom in the UK grow over the past few years, and we hope that these girls can drive a new wave of female fans in the years to come.” 

Chicago Bears stated: “Girls’ flag football continues to grow locally and internationally. Last month, we witnessed the sport become sanctioned in Chicago (US) and the state of Illinois. The game will also be introduced to the Olympic Games in 2028. As flag football progresses, the Chicago Bears will remain committed to championing the sport’s growth.  We are thrilled to be back in the UK for a second year with the Jets. To see the enthusiasm and engagement for American Football is incredible, and we are excited for what the second year of the league will bring, especially ahead of the Bears playing a game in London in October.

NFL International Flag Football Development Manager, Afia Law, added: “It’s fantastic to see participation in NFL Flag throughout the UK continuing to grow at pace. Initiatives such as the Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag league are fundamental to the sport’s development here and to driving female participation. The experiences and friendships young people make today in flag football have the potential to last a lifetime, and we hope their stories can go on to inspire more and more young girls to find their place in the sport.”  

To learn more about the Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag League, please visit www.chicagobears.com and https://nyjetsinuk.com/girls-flag. To know more about NFL Flag in the UK, please visit https://www.nfl.com/uk/nfl-flag.

About Chicago Bears

One of the founding franchises of the National Football League, the Chicago Bears, was established in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys by legendary player, coach and owner George S. Halas. The team moved to Chicago in 1921. In 1922, Halas changed the team’s name from the Staleys to the Bears, and the team has gone on to win nine NFL Championships, including one Super Bowl. The Bears 30 Hall of Famers are the most of any team in the NFL. A pillar in the community for more than a century, the Bears strive to be civic leaders throughout Chicago and its suburbs by supporting initiatives focused on social justice, youth and high school football, the military, health equity, education, volunteerism and civic involvement.

About the New York Jets

The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the New York Titans, an original member of the American Football League (AFL). The Jets won Super Bowl III, defeating the NFL’s Baltimore Colts in 1969. In 1970, the franchise joined the National Football League in the historic AFL–NFL merger that set the foundation for today’s league. As part of a commitment to its fan base through innovation and experiences, the team has created initiatives such as its trailblazing Jets Rewards program, a state-of-the-art mobile app, and Jets 360 Productions, a comprehensive content platform that gives fans greater access to the team across all digital and social platforms. The organization takes great pride in a long-standing, year-round commitment to their community. The New York Jets Foundation funds these programs and looks to positively influence the lives of young men and women, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The organization supports the efforts of the Lupus Research Alliance, youth football and numerous established charitable organizations and causes sponsored by the NFL. The New York Jets play in MetLife Stadium, which opened in 2010, and are headquartered at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. For more information about the New York Jets, visit newyorkjets.com.