The NFL's Imternational Series of regular-season games will return to the United Kingdom in 2010 when the San Francisco 49ers host the Denver Broncos on Sunday, October 31 at London's Wembley Stadium. The teams are among the most decorated franchises in NFL history, combining for seven Super Bowl victories

"For the past three years we have seen the extraordinary passion that exists for NFL football in the U.K.," says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. "We want to continue to build on that passion by strengthening our ties to our existing U.K. fans and creating new ones."

The contest will mark the fourth consecutive year of an NFL regular-season game at Wembley Stadium, part of a multi-year commitment to play a limited number of NFL regularseason games in the U.K. on an annual basis. In 2009, the New England Patriots defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7 before a crowd of 84,254 (left).

The 49ers, five-time Super Bowl champions, will take part in their second international regular-season game and first as the home team. They faced the Arizona Cardinals on October 2, 2005 in Mexico City in the first international regular-season game in league history, helping attract a crowd of 103,467 to Azteca Stadium.

"London is a wonderful venue for two of the most storied franchises in NFL history," says 49ers President and CEO JED YORK. "The international games have been so well received that it will surely be an exciting experience for our players, coaches, staff and fans."

The Broncos, two-time Super Bowl champions, played in seven international preseason American Bowl games, including one in London in 1987. They return to the U.K. to play against the team they faced in Super Bowl XXIV in 1990.

"Our organization has been fortunate to play in several American Bowls in previous years, including one in London," says Broncos President and CEO PAT BOWLEN, "but to play a regular-season game overseas is truly special."

The International Series began on October 28, 2007, when the New York Giants defeated the Miami Dolphins 13-10 in London en route to a victory in Super Bowl XLII.

A look at what some of the players thought about playing in London:

CB Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay

"The stadium and atmosphere were great. They did their best to simulate a home game for us. It was a nice experience."

QB Tom Brady, New England

"I think this experience will serve us well down the road. There are a lot of new players, and it's nice to come together and experience something like this. It's a unique bonding experience for all of us."

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans

"There are 32 teams in the NFL. The Saints and Chargers were the third and fourth teams to represent the NFL in London. That speaks volumes and I am honored to have been there."

G Rex Hadnot, Arizona (with Miami in '07)

"It was like a Super Bowl at the start of the game with all the flashbulbs going off. The atmosphere was great."

QB Eli Manning, NY Giants

"The British fans were great. I hope the NFL continues to play games here. I would recommend playing here to any team. It felt like playing a normal regular-season game, but just in a different country."

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, NY Jets (with San Diego in '08)

"I think what stands out to me is the atmosphere of the game. I thought it was great. The fans were into the game and it was a really exciting game to be a part of. I think if you ask any one of the players in the locker room, they'll say no doubt they'll come back and do it again."

 

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NFL 2010 International Series - San Francisco 49ers vs Denver Broncos