Week 4 will begin the 2023 season’s run of international games in the NFL, with a trio of contests in England and a pair in Germany. The idea of regular season contests in new foreign markets is currently being explored. 
The NFL has sent officials to Spain and Brazil to “investigate the possibility” of playing there, per executive vice president Peter O’Reilly. Regular season games could be scheduled as early as 2024, he added, depending on the success of the league’s fact-finding missions and the feasibility of playing games in Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, specifically.
“That’s the diligence that we do constantly,” O’Reilly said during an appearance on the Adam Schefter Podcast. “What is the stadium like here? Could we play a game here? What does the support look like? So we’re not there yet in terms of timing on that. But we are spending time in those markets, building relationships and looking at the stadia there.”
In the wake of last year’s debut Germany game, Spain was listed as one of the European markets the league was interested in exploring regarding new hosts. Two teams – the Bears and Dolphins – have international marketing rights there, meaning they would be logical choices to take part in a game played in Spain in the near future. Stadiums being explored as possible host sites include the iconic Santiago Bernabeu, home to Real Madrid.
The Dolphins are the lone NFL team with marketing rights in Brazil, a country which, like Spain, has yet to host a game. Given the success of the league’s expanding international series, though, it would come as no surprise if at least one of the two countries being looked into was granted hosting rights sooner than later. Brazil and Spain are each home to one active NFL player (Bears kicker Cairo Santos and former Eagles draftee JJ Arcega-Whiteside, who is currently unsigned).
“Brazil and Spain are two strong markets and two important markets,” O’Reilly added. “And importantly, there are also markets that clubs are interested in… Marrying where clubs are now building their fan base is important.”
O’Reilly also mentioned Australia is on the league’s radar as a potential destination for regular season games, but logistics on that front represent more of a roadblock than they do for Europe and South America. In the immediate future, attention will soon turn to London and Frankfurt for their role in the 2023 International Series, but new locations for NFL games could soon be in place.
The international games don’t bother me. I’m not a season ticket holder. But if I was…
I understand the league needing to grow and they sellout the games. I like having games on at 9am though!
The 9am games are the best part of the international games. Though I doubt they’ll play the Brazil game that early since the time zone matches up.
Just another big money grab by the NFL. Just can’t make enough money here so go elsewhere!
I hear North Korea is looking to host a game.
The 17th game with a 9th home game alternating between AFC and NFC each year, kind of addresses the loss of a home game to Europe. With the exception of Jacksonville who with their agreement has been moving a home game annually.
I can see a future where in the absence of permanent teams located in these cities by way of expansion, each team plays a match abroad each year. 16 games abroad league wide.
Change it to the International Football League. Thank god Mexico messed up the field in 2018 and we were not robbed of the greatest MNF game ever
Eff this! It is the NATIONAL Football League! Not the international football league! Greedy effing owners and Goodell. Get lost!!! And CUT THE COMMERCIALS IN HALF! This is boring as Fock!!!
The NFL will have expansion teams on Mars once Elon Musk makes an ownership investment.