The NFL, already with a record-setting 9 worldwide video games on the schedule for the 2026 season, is trying to additional develop its presence across the globe.
At this week’s spring league assembly in Orlando, Fla., group homeowners will vote to extend the variety of league-run worldwide video games to 10 in 2027, based on a supply briefed on the method. (Technically, there could possibly be 11 worldwide video games in 2027, with the Jacksonville Jaguars taking part in in London. However the Jaguars negotiate and function their London video games as the house group). In 2026, the NFL will play in Australia, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany and Mexico.
The NFL already has different nations — and continents — on its thoughts.
“We’ve recognized markets past these that we predict could possibly be nice,” NFL government vp Peter O’Reilly mentioned Monday on the “Up & Adams” show. “Australia is clearly a sports-crazed market. You consider the components of the world we haven’t performed a sport and don’t have a year-round presence. That features markets in Asia, a market like Japan, which once more, very completely different however is a novel tradition. Italy, the place two of our golf equipment — the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns — now have rights by way of the World Markets Program.
“So, nothing imminent. We’ve so much forward of us proper now, however we’ve got to do the groundwork in these potential subsequent markets. … Unsure we’re headed to play a sport in Africa within the close to time period, however there’s a lot that we’re doing in Africa … we’re doing a lot there. Nigeria certified for the world championships, males’s and girls’s, in flag. There are components of the world which can be actually energetic with our sport. It’s simply, what’s the proper time to take a subsequent step?”
O’Reilly mentioned that the video games themselves are “huge and glitzy,” however the worldwide growth goes past the common season video games performed within the fall.
“It’s in regards to the year-round,” O’Reilly said. “It’s about the entire days in between the place you’re constructing the sport.”
O’Reilly highlighted the Miami Dolphins choosing Seydou Traore within the fifth spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft as a “full-circle second” as a result of Traore is a graduate of the NFL’s UK academy.
“That mannequin goes to occur increasingly more,” O’Reilly mentioned. “Somebody who grew up taking part in flag in one in every of our applications all over the world, into one in every of our academies, after which taking part in on an NFL area. That’s what’s upon us.”
The NFL’s 2026 worldwide schedule is just not solely record-setting in amount of video games but in addition excessive in high quality of matchups. That’s one thing the NFL has felt is necessary because the slate continues to develop.
“That reveals the significance to us (and) to our media companions round, ensuring in these huge home windows and all over the world, we’re showcasing unbelievable video games,” O’Reilly said.