FEBRUARY 20: The NFL’s game in Brazil in 2024 was heavily criticized for deficient field conditions that made it difficult for players to find their footing. The league is working to address those concerns in coordinator with Brazilian stadium officials, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim, though this season’s matchup hosted by the Chargers is set to be played in the same stadium as last year.
FEBRUARY 19: The NFL is officially returning to Brazil in 2025. The Eagles and the Packers squared off at São Paulo’s Arena Corinthians in 2024, and the Chargers are set to host another regular season game there in 2025, per a team announcement.
Earlier reports indicated that the NFL was in talks with Brazilian officials regarding a long-term hosting agreement. Scheduling a follow-up to last season’s matchup is a sign that the NFL plans to play in Brazil for years to come.
Like last year, the game will take place on the first Friday of the regular season; in 2025, that will be September 5. The league has not yet announced the other team who will be playing in Brazil, though the Chargers’ 2025 away opponents are already known. They are scheduled to host the rest of the AFC West, the Jaguars, the Titans, the Cowboys, the Giants, and the Dolphins.
The NFL has scheduled 49 international games since 2007 with just six between divisional opponents. That makes it less likely that the Chargers would host the Broncos, Chiefs, or Raiders in Brazil, though the last two games in Mexico City featured teams from the same decision. Since the Jaguars and the Dolphins are hosting other international games, the NFL is unlikely to make them travel overseas a second time in one season. That leaves the Titans, Cowboys, and Giants as the primary candidates to face the Chargers in Brazil. The NFL’s full schedule will be announced later this spring.
There are now seven confirmed international games set for 2025: three in London, England (hosted by the Jets, the Browns, and the Jaguars), one in Berlin, Germany (hosted by the Colts), one in Madrid, Spain (hosted by the Dolphins), and one in Dublin, Ireland (hosted by the Steelers). The NFL is permitted to schedule up to eight international games per season, per Mark Maske of The Washington Post, though the Jaguars’ annual games at Wembley Stadium do not count towards that total.
Make it Chargers vs Commanders
Why don’t the Jags games at Wembley count?
It likely has something to do with the Jags deal with London.
They play in London every year as home team. It is a deal with NFL and London.
These international games are no longer appealing. Not sure that they ever really were, but it feels more annoying than entertaining at this point.
I don’t mind them at all because it gives us another 3 hour window of football that we wouldn’t have otherwise had.
I agree but they don’t have them for us. NFL is expanding the market into othe countries. More money and fans.
If the Chargers are hosting the game, wouldn’t it be more accurate to list their home opponents for the year rather than their away opponents? When a team hosts an international game, it’s a home game that is moved to the new location, or am I wrong?
PFR has the Chargers’ 2025 home schedule completely wrong. Chargers have home games scheduled vs. Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Washington, and Pittsburgh.
Eagles are out as they host the opening night game on 9/4. Colts and Steelers are out as they host overseas games next term. With the NFL reluctant to move a division rivalry game outside the States, that leaves the Commanders and Texans as potential opponents in Sao Paulo.