The NFL’s latest international slate wrapped via the Giants-Panthers Germany matchup, and the days of five games on foreign soil per season appear to have ended with that contest as well. As greater ambitions are on the NFL’s agenda down the line, the league has a near-future aim to reach its current maximum for non-American contests.
Roger Goodell told the NFL Network’s Colleen Wolfe the league is looking to play eight foreign games in 2025. That is the maximum number currently allowed. Given the veteran commissioner’s sway, it is probably a good bet half the league’s teams — or nearly half, depending on the Jaguars’ plans — will be playing a game outside the country next season.
Goodell wants another Brazil game scheduled and is looking for a 2025 Mexico date as well. The league is set to debut in Spain next season, and Goodell expressed hope for a 2025 Ireland game. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones indicates an Ireland game will be on tap for the ’25 season. Dublin has been rumored as a potential site for a bit, and it appears an announcement pertaining to an expansion into that country is in the works.
Next season will feature the London contests, with Germany again set to receive a game. Specifically, Berlin is a target. Goodell said (via The Associated Press) the NFL is working “very hard” on bringing a game to Berlin. The NFL’s previous Germany forays have included games in Frankfurt and Munich.
A December 2023 vote led to the trail clearing for seasons including eight international games. While the slate is at eight, an Australia debut should probably be expected. A game down under in 2026 is in play, Jones adds, noting the NFL — beyond its London base — has devoted its most international resources to Australia. The continent has come up regarding an NFL game previously as well, with Jones adding the prospect of Pro Bowl Games being played there is also on the table.
Olympics buffs who recall the Sydney and Tokyo Games will remember the difficulties a time difference of this sort presents. Australia is 16 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone now and 14 hours ahead in September, creating challenges. While some teams have chosen not to take their bye week after a London game, clubs would almost be forced to do so following an Australia assignment. With eight foreign games more likely than not to be on the 2025 and ’26 schedules, the NFL may not be able to offer byes to every team coming off games in Europe. That will be an interesting subplot to follow, as competitive balance will soon be an issue if/once international games cover nearly half the league.
The NFL has conducted site visits to Melbourne and Sydney, Jones adds, pointing to one of these cities being selected for the 2026 Australia introduction. France, Sweden, Italy and Abu Dhabi have come up as possible future sites, though none is mentioned as a candidate to host a 2025 game. Goodell brought up a 16-game international slate, a prospect that would level the playing field. That may not be coming in the near future, but NFL fans should prepare for it down the line.
Sure, more Giants & Panthers games to further the NFL hype
Roger Goodell needs to be stopped.
I am not getting up before the sun rises to watch a football game; I don’t care if it’s the Super Bowl.
I am also not a season ticketholder, but I’d be absolutely furious if I was. I’d be willing to bet you’re paying the same price for those regardless of if your favorite team has an international game, or not.
There is a fine line between ambition and greed, which Goodell has never grasped.
The time difference from the east coast to London is only 5 hours. Only a couple more than the difference between east and west coast. You can get over that in a few days, certainly with a bye week. Germany is only an hour further. Still very doable. The difference from eastern standard time to Sydney/Melbourne is 16 hours. 17 for central, 19 for Pacific. That’s a huge time difference for athletes you’re asking to adjust going in both directions in the middle of the season. Even if you were to play a season opener there and immediately give both teams a bye week (which would be weird and mess with byes), it’s a tough ask.
Agree, the stress on players will be insane, especially if it comes mid-season.
No one wants these stupid games other than the commissioner who loves free travel and people liking him since they don’t realize yet what a complete idiot he is.
The owners like it. It makes them money. That’s why Goodell does it. He’s their union rep, basically.
Yes, they are paid by the government to come over there, but they cannot fill those stadiums up without free tickets and free jerseys to get the people in there. My sister lives over there. and now has 10 jerseys of 10 different teams signed by different players.
Here’s an idea, play the games in the United States. Stop trying to shove American football down other countries throats. Why make these guys who are already beat to heck fly 10 times zones away to play in Australia, then having them play in the US the next weekend. It’s ridiculous enough to go to London, but Australia and Brazil? Knock this garbage off. The pounding these guys take during the season is bad enough, but then having them fly that far and upsetting their circadian rhythms is giving the next team they play one heckuva advantage. I am more of a traditionalist. Why open the baseball season in Japan? Used to be the Cincinnati Reds opened the season because they were considered the first professional team and the fact for 125+ years it was a tradition. Not anymore, the season opens in Japan. Money? Greed? Stupidity of the commissioner? Now Roger Goodell is doing the same crap with the NFL. Play an exhibition or an all star game in a foreign country, but keep the genuine games at home.
how ’bout no
Going to basically become like Thursday Night where every team has to get one. I can’t think of one classic international game, usually bad football. The Eagles vs GB maybe the best one and that happen this year, wasn’t a classic though.
They really should just do this in the pre season. The crowds always have a mix of jerseys so they don’t care who is playing or on the field. They never seem to boo so no real advantages. If they make international games for pre season they can have a whole division play each other at 1 arena so 2 games or have like AFC North vs NFC North at Tottenham, NFC East vs AFC East at Wembley, another in Germany, another in Australia or Japan. Just stop screwing the real home fans out of meaningful games.
NFL used to do a lot of international games in the preseason, funny enough.
I remember the Bucs playing in Japan when I was a kid. Thought it was neat since I stayed up and gave a reason to watch pre season.
Only Mexico City should have International regular season games if they badly want International. They stopped using them for the MNF SF, Chargers, & AZ games.
The Packer game was not good because love who people came to see got hurt. Not one person came to see Malik Willis not one maybe you just because you love black men, but not one.
Love played the whole game…but don’t let that get in the way of a bad joke.
this is great for the NFL, plus I love starting my NFL day 3-4 hrs earlier anyway. keep it coming Rodge!
No surprise on the potential Australia Games.
Many Aussies root for NFL Teams and follow NFL players.
MANY NFL Players are BIG Down Under.
Why not award an NFL franchise to Elon Musk? Then load Goodell and all the owners onto a Space X starship and launch it into deep space.
Putting a bunch of 300 lb guys on a plane for 22 hours seems wise.