The NFL is set to expand its global presence next season by hosting eight international games, including a potential first-ever game in Ireland. Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that future matchups are planned for Spain, Mexico, Brazil, the U.K., and Germany.
In an announcement on Sunday, Goodell revealed the league's ongoing efforts to broaden its international reach. "We are definitely going to Spain, we announced that. We expect to return to Mexico City. We expect to return to Brazil. We will certainly be back in the U.K. And we're also looking at the potential of another game in the U.K. area — in Ireland, possibly," he told NFL Network during the league’s game in Munich.
NFL future plans
The NFL also plans to return to Germany and is aiming for a total of eight international games next season. Goodell mentioned that the league is also working on a game in Berlin after this year's matchup at Bayern Munich's stadium. The NFL made its debut in South America this season with a game in Sao Paulo at Corinthians Arena in Week 1.
Despite this international expansion, Goodell reiterated that the Super Bowl will remain in the U.S. for the time being, signaling no immediate plans to host the event overseas.
NFL's Global expansion
The final game of this year's international series will take place at Germany's Allianz Arena in Munich, where the Giants and Panthers will meet, attracting almost 70,000 fans. The game will be broadcast in German on a free-to-air channel, making it accessible to a broad audience and helping to cultivate a new generation of NFL fans across Europe.
Fourth regular NFL season
This marks the fourth regular-season NFL game to be hosted in Germany, following the inaugural matchup in Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park in 2022. This year, two more games are scheduled in Germany, with the free-to-air broadcast allowing fans to watch both early and late slate games live—a rare opportunity for German fans to experience NFL action on home soil.
The league is keen to expand the NFL’s presence internationally, with five games planned for 2024. While some of these will be hosted in Munich and Frankfurt, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has also expressed interest in bringing games to Berlin, as he shared during a Q&A with fans in Munich.
"I usually tell people, 'Don’t believe rumors.' In this case, I might say, 'Believe it. We're working on it, but it isn’t finalized. We really feel like Berlin would be a great addition, so we’re looking very hard at that. Our people have been working very hard at it. But I want to add that does not mean we're not going to be back in Frankfurt and Munich," Goodell said, according to ESPN.
