Inside the Indianapolis Colts Ahead of Their NFL London Return

The Indianapolis Colts will take centre stage in London this weekend when they face the Washington Commanders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, bringing one of the NFL’s most recognisable franchises back to the capital.

Indianapolis arrive in the UK with a 1-2 record after opening their season with defeats against the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs before securing a dramatic 19-17 victory over the Houston Texans. That win brought an end to a lengthy losing run stretching back to last season and gives Shane Steichen’s side some much-needed momentum before Sunday’s meeting with Washington.

From the days of Johnny Unitas to the dominant Peyton Manning era and the present-day stars preparing to play in London, the Colts have a history packed with some of the biggest names and moments in American football.

From Baltimore to Indianapolis

The Colts franchise dates back to 1953, when the team was established in Baltimore. Success followed quickly, with the Colts winning NFL Championships in 1958 and 1959 under Head Coach Weeb Ewbank and quarterback Johnny Unitas.

The 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants became one of the most important contests in the history of the sport. Baltimore won 23-17 in overtime at Yankee Stadium, with the game helping American football reach a much wider national television audience.

Further success followed, including another NFL Championship in 1968 and victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V following the 1970 season. The franchise remained in Baltimore until 1984, when the Colts relocated to Indianapolis.

It would take time for Indianapolis to establish its own era of sustained success, but that changed completely towards the end of the 1990s.

Peyton Manning transforms the Colts

Few players are more closely associated with a franchise than Peyton Manning is with the Indianapolis Colts.

Selected first overall in the 1998 NFL Draft, Manning became the centrepiece of a team that would spend much of the following decade among the strongest in the league. Alongside players including Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Edgerrin James, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, Manning helped transform Indianapolis into a perennial contender.

Between 2000 and 2009, the Colts won 115 regular-season games, which at the time represented the most victories recorded by an NFL team across a single decade. Indianapolis regularly reached the playoffs and won at least 12 games in seven consecutive seasons between 2003 and 2009.

Their defining moment arrived during the 2006 season.

After beating the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens in the opening two rounds of the playoffs, Indianapolis overturned a 21-6 half-time deficit against the New England Patriots to win the AFC Championship Game 38-34.

The Colts then beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI, with Manning named Super Bowl MVP as Indianapolis secured its first championship since the franchise moved from Baltimore.

Andrew Luck leads the next era

Manning’s departure following the 2011 season could have left Indianapolis facing a prolonged rebuild, but the arrival of another first overall quarterback quickly changed the outlook.

Andrew Luck was selected with the first pick of the 2012 NFL Draft and immediately helped the Colts return to the postseason. Indianapolis improved from 2-14 in 2011 to 11-5 in Luck’s rookie season, beginning a run of three consecutive 11-win campaigns.

The Colts reached the AFC Championship Game following the 2014 season, having beaten the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos in the playoffs before eventually losing to the New England Patriots.

Injuries increasingly affected Luck during the latter stages of his career, however, and his retirement shortly before the beginning of the 2019 season brought another major change for the franchise.

Since then, Indianapolis have searched for the consistency at quarterback that defined the Manning and Luck eras.

Indianapolis enter a new chapter with Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones arrived in Indianapolis ahead of the 2025 season following six years with the New York Giants, and his first campaign with the Colts initially appeared capable of changing the direction of the franchise.

Jones produced some of the strongest football of his NFL career, completing 68 per cent of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions across 13 starts. He also recorded career highs in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating.

The Colts surged to an 8-2 record and defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, but their season unravelled during the final weeks. Jones suffered a torn Achilles against the Jacksonville Jaguars in December, while Indianapolis ultimately lost their final seven games and finished 8-9 to miss the playoffs.

Jones recovered in time to return as the Colts’ starting quarterback for the beginning of 2026. Results have been mixed through the opening three weeks, with Indianapolis losing 41-23 against Baltimore and 33-30 in overtime at Kansas City before responding against Houston.

The Texans victory could therefore prove important as the Colts attempt to put last season’s difficult finish behind them.

Jonathan Taylor remains the star of the Colts offence

While Indianapolis have experienced considerable change at quarterback, Jonathan Taylor has been a constant source of production in the backfield.

The running back enjoyed another outstanding campaign in 2025, leading the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns and 20 total touchdowns while accumulating 1,585 rushing yards. He also moved beyond Edgerrin James to set a new Colts franchise record for career rushing touchdowns.

Taylor has already scored four rushing touchdowns through the opening three games of 2026, including twice against Baltimore on the opening weekend. His ability to carry the Indianapolis running game means he will once again be one of the main players for UK fans to watch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tyler Warren has quickly become a major weapon

Tight end Tyler Warren required little time to make an impact after being selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Warren caught 76 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns during his rookie campaign, setting Colts franchise records for both receptions and receiving yards by a rookie tight end. His performances earned him selection for the 2026 Pro Bowl.

His versatility makes him particularly difficult for opposing defences to handle. Warren has been used as a conventional tight end, from the slot, out wide and from the backfield, giving Steichen several ways of incorporating him into the offence.

He has remained heavily involved at the beginning of his second NFL season, recording 18 receptions through three games and scoring touchdowns against both Baltimore and Kansas City.

Sauce Gardner gives Indianapolis an elite defensive talent

The Colts made one of the biggest moves of the 2025 season when they acquired cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets.

Indianapolis sent first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027, as well as wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, to New York in exchange for Gardner, underlining how highly the franchise valued the former fourth overall pick.

Gardner had already established himself among the NFL’s leading defensive backs before arriving in Indianapolis. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and became the first cornerback since the AFL-NFL merger to earn First Team All-Pro honours in each of his first two seasons.

Alongside experienced defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and fellow cornerback Charvarius Ward, Gardner gives the Colts several established names on the defensive side of the ball.

Quenton Nelson provides experience up front

Some of the NFL’s biggest stars operate in positions that rarely attract the same attention as quarterbacks or running backs, and Quenton Nelson is a clear example.

The Colts guard has been one of the league’s most decorated offensive linemen since being drafted sixth overall in 2018. Nelson was selected for an eighth Pro Bowl following the 2025 season, continuing a remarkable run of individual recognition since entering the NFL.

His presence on the offensive line remains particularly important for a Colts attack built around protecting Jones and creating opportunities for Taylor on the ground.

The Colts return to London ten years later

Sunday will mark a significant occasion for Indianapolis as the franchise makes its first London appearance in a decade.

The Colts previously faced the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in October 2016. Since then, the NFL’s international programme has expanded considerably, with London now established as a regular part of the league’s calendar.

Indianapolis also have recent experience of playing outside the United States. Their 31-25 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin last November took their record to 8-2 at the time and was the final victory of their 2025 season.

This time, the Colts head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face a Washington Commanders team that also holds a 1-2 record after beating the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3.

Kick-off is scheduled for 2:30pm BST on Sunday 4th October as the fixture opens three consecutive weekends of NFL action in London.

Colts v Commanders hospitality with Eventmasters

Fans can experience the return of the Indianapolis Colts to London with Indianapolis Colts v Washington Commanders hospitality at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium through Eventmasters.

Hospitality options combine official match access with premium seating and access to exclusive hospitality facilities, providing an enhanced way to enjoy the opening game of NFL London 2026.

The London schedule continues with Philadelphia Eagles v Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday 11th October before Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars takes place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 18th October.

Explore NFL London hospitality with Eventmasters to discover the packages available across all three fixtures.

Indianapolis Colts FAQs

When are the Indianapolis Colts playing in London?

The Indianapolis Colts face the Washington Commanders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 4th October 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 2:30pm BST.

Have the Indianapolis Colts played in London before?

Yes. The Colts previously played the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in October 2016. Their meeting with Washington therefore marks their first London appearance in ten years.

How many Super Bowls have the Indianapolis Colts won?

The Colts franchise has won two Super Bowls. They defeated the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V while based in Baltimore and beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI following the 2006 season.

Who are the Indianapolis Colts’ key players in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor remains one of the Colts’ leading offensive players, while quarterback Daniel Jones, tight end Tyler Warren and guard Quenton Nelson are important parts of the Indianapolis offence. Sauce Gardner and DeForest Buckner are among the established names on defence.

What is the Indianapolis Colts’ record in 2026?

The Colts enter their NFL London fixture with a 1-2 record. They lost to the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs before beating the Houston Texans 19-17 in Week 3.

Can I get Colts v Commanders hospitality?

Yes. Eventmasters offers Indianapolis Colts v Washington Commanders hospitality for the NFL London fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with packages combining match access with premium seating and hospitality facilities.