NFL expands to four London games in 2017

The NFL announced Friday it is committed to playing four regular-season games in London in 2017.

The league played three games in London to sellout crowds in each season since 2014, but commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL plans to continue growing the game in England.

"We continue to be incredibly excited by the passion and love for the NFL shown by our millions of UK fans," 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."

With four games in 2017, the league will have played 21 games in the UK since the first regular-season game in London in 2007.

Teams and venues for 2017 will be announced on Tuesday. Most of the games were played at Wembley Stadium. One game was played at Twickenham Stadium this season.

"London staging a fourth NFL game is fantastic news -- not only for the millions of sports fans who get to enjoy our iconic stadiums -- but also because it confirms our status as the go-to choice for hosting the world's biggest sporting events," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said. "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. I am really excited to welcome more NFL teams to London next year, as well as thousands of American football fans from around the globe, showing that London is open to the very best sporting events and the world's greatest athletes."