BEIJING - As the undisputed No 1 sport in America, the National Football League (NFL) has steadily built its brand presence and popularity in China through a series of marketing promotions over the past four years. Since the opening of the NFL China office in 2007, the league has gained significant traction in cultivating the appeal and pageantry of America's game among the Chinese public.

This coming Sunday, for the first time, the "NFL Experience" will bring the sight and sound of American football to life for fans in Shanghai. Modeled after the most exciting continuous on-ground event surrounding each Super Bowl, the NFL Experience is pro football's interactive theme park offering participatory games, displays, youth football clinics, exhibition games with local community teams and fan meet-and-greet sessions with former NFL players. The event is open to public at Shanghai Sport Center from 10:00 to 19:00.

The NFL Experience in Shanghai marks the largest on-ground promotion event held by the NFL in Asia. Fans can go deep at the "Let It Fly" quarterback challenge or boot it through the upright at the Field Goal Kick challenge, as well as get an authentic taste of what elite prospects go through at the Virtual Training Camp. Also present will be lively performances by the San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders, and hard-hitting action in a game between the Shanghai Nighthawks and Beijing Guardians tackle football teams.

Four-time Pro Bowl running back and Hall of Fame legend Tony Dorsett will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs, as well as lead clinics. Fans missing American football can also watch games featuring local teams from the NFL University Flag Football League battling it out on the gridiron for the 2011-12 University Bowl.

The National Football League is America's most popular sports league, comprising of 32 franchises that will compete each year to win the Super Bowl, the world's biggest annual sporting event. When the NFL established its China office in Beijing, it indicated a long-term commitment to China, marking a significant milestone in the league's continuing effort to promote its game worldwide.

Admission to the NFL Experience is free of charge. Sign up for a spot on http://www.nflchina.com/eng/2011nflx/

China Daily