How longest NFL team journey compares to Champions League’s new trek record

I thought the Dolphins’ flight to Seattle was bad... then I saw Kairat Almaty’s ticket to Lisbon. Following the Champions League draw at the end of July, it was confirmed that this was the new longest single-game journey. But once you compare it with what NFL teams face – domestic and international – the picture gets even more fascinating.

Champions League’s longest single-game trip ever

Kairat Almaty, a Kazakh club making its Champions League group stage debut this season – after shocking Scottish champions Celtic in the playoffs – will travel around 4,300 miles (6,900 km) to play Sporting CP in Lisbon. That distance smashes the previous competition record, set in 2015 when Astana met Benfica over a 3,800-mile stretch.

It’s a logistical headache for a one-off fixture, nearly ten hours in the air, multiple time zones crossed, and all for a 90-minute game. For Champions League standards, that’s almost unthinkable. That said, the players and fans making their debut are unlikely to complain.

What’s the furthest NFL teams travel for a single game?

Now let’s look stateside. Within the NFL’s continental schedule, the longest trip that I can work out is Miami Dolphins to Seattle Seahawks (or vice versa) – about 2,700 miles one way, 5,439 miles round trip.

However, the NFL adds another wrinkle: its International Series. For 2025, the league has scheduled a record seven overseas games, including first-ever contests in Spain and Ireland, plus regular stops in London, Berlin, and Brazil.

One example? The Jacksonville Jaguars’ trip to London to play the Rams. That’s an eye-watering 4,650 miles, or 10,883 miles round trip. Then there’s the Los Angeles Chargers, who are set to cover over 37,000 miles in 2025, thanks partly to their opener in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

• Kairat Almaty to Lisbon (UCL): c.4,300 miles one way
• Miami to Seattle (NFL domestic): c.2,700 miles one way
• Jacksonville to London (NFL international 2025): c.5,440 miles one way

As far as I’m aware, UEFA has no plans to send their showpiece tournament to other continents – yes, yes, I know Kazakhstan is officially in Asia – so the NFL’s expansion has clinched their comparative win for longest single in-season trip. Poor lads.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.