The NFL sets sights on two new territories to host international games
Both Australia and Ireland are being considered by the NFL to host regular season games from 2025/26.
The NFL maintain their drive in searching for new markets and after confirmation that Brazil will host a game next season, the hunt goes on for new global destinations.
São Paulo, Munich and London will all host games next season with the Packers facing the Philadelphia Eagles at Corinthians Arena in the Brazilian city as part of the opening day round of games.
The NFL has approved an international game in Sao Paulo, Brazil at Corinthians Arena for 2024… plus there could be as many as eight international games in 2025. That’s in addition to the #Jaguars game.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 13, 2023
Significant expansion. pic.twitter.com/QclvxVoeyC
The English capital will host three games in October with matches taking place at Tottenham Hotspur and Wembley Stadiums with the final international game in 2024 earmarked for Munich with the Giants facing the Panthers on 10 November.
The NFL recently confirmed that Spain will host an international game for the first time ever in 2025 with the doors of the newly refurbished Santiago Bernabeu (home to Real Madrid) set to welcome American football fans to the Spanish capital for the first time.
New horizons for the NFL
Speaking at the league’s spring meetings earlier this week, NFL head of international affairs, Peter O‘Reilly acknowledged that Australia is among the markets being discussed and this follows the league’s recent announcement that an NFL Academy will open in September on the Gold Coast in Australia.
We continue to change the game!
— NFL Academy (@NFLAcademy) April 25, 2024
Announcing NFL Academy Asia-Pacific, located on the Gold Coast of Australia to create new pathway opportunities for athletes across the region.
Head over to https://t.co/8fSfO0bB8C to register for recruitment camps.
Go get it! 💪 pic.twitter.com/8x3jPtaMLQ
“Australia is among a set, and it’s not a small set of markets, that we’re looking at,” said O’Reilly.
The Irish capital Dublin is another setting being considered for future NFL games as league officials plan to visit markets this summer as part of the process assessing fan support, stadiums and locations for teams to use leading up to a game.
The city has just hosted the final of the UEFA Europa League between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen with the game staged at the 52,000 capacity Aviva Stadium in the southside. Dublin also boasts the 82,000 Croke Park where Gaelic Sports are played with the venue also hosting high profile concerts.