When you think of American football hotspots in the UK, Bristol probably isn't the first place that comes to mind. But that's exactly why the NFL UK manager is keeping a close watch on the region—and for good reason.

Did you know that the current British national champions of American football call the West of England home? The Bristol Aztecs claimed the championship title in 2025, adding to their impressive collection of four division titles. Their growing fanbase, alongside the support for other local teams like the Swindon Storm, is proof that interest in the sport across the UK is still climbing.

So, how did a game so deeply rooted in American culture and entertainment find such fertile ground in this corner of the UK? According to NFL UK, more than 18.5 million people across the country are now tuning in to watch games and supporting British teams. Flag football—the non-contact version of the sport—has also become a popular gateway, with roughly 65 schools in the South West alone incorporating it into their PE curriculum.

Jonathan Fry, a 26-year-old fan from Bristol, has watched the sport "massively grow" in popularity. "It's not just my little thing anymore—I can share it and talk about it with other people," he says. "I've met some great people through it. The fanbase in the UK is passionate. You're on the edge of your seat the whole time when you watch it."

A fan for seven years, Fry admits he didn't even know Bristol had its own team for a long time. Now, he's proud to see the Aztecs gaining prominence in his home city and beyond. He hopes the game becomes just as big here as it is in the USA, but with a distinctly British twist. "We can still do it in a way that feels British—we don't need to copy America," he adds.

The British American Football Association (BAFA) reports that more than 150 clubs now play American football and flag football across the UK. The West of England has emerged as a particularly strong hub, thanks in large part to representation from regional universities like the University of the West of England (UWE) and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS).

Whether you're a seasoned fan or just discovering the sport, there's never been a better time to get involved—and you might not have to look further than your own backyard to find a team worth supporting.