The NFL has officially voted to authorize a 2024 game to be played in Brazil. After months of rumors on this front, Sao Paulo will be the site of one of the league’s international contests next season, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.
Brazil and Spain had been the candidates for the expansion. While the NFL’s first move into South America represents a significant step, the more notable news item from the league’s Wednesday vote pertains to the 2025 season. A five-game overseas slate is on tap for 2024, but the NFL is considering a major increase in foreign contests soon after.
As many as nine international games could be on the 2025 docket, Rapoport adds. This will include eight dates plus the Jaguars’ agreement to play a London game each year. Considering the league’s international schedule sits at five presently, the football world could be in for quite the expansion in two years. The 2025 plan doubles as the most significant adjustment to the league’s schedule since it launched its international series in 2007.
The Brazil game will take place at Corinthians Arena, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Corinthians Arena hosted matches in the 2014 World Cup and was one of the venues used during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Sao Paulo being two hours ahead of Eastern Time would not mandate an early-morning game like the European venues do, though it is uncertain when this Brazil matchup will fall on the schedule.
Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal broached the subject of this international expansion for 2025, indicating (via NBC Sports’ Peter King) the NFL is considering adjusting its mandate for teams to play at least one “home” game overseas every four years rather than every eight years. Mexico City will be back in play in 2025, per King, following Azteca Stadium’s renovations. London, Germany and Spain will be on the table to host games. France has emerged as a prospective host nation as well, and the Washington Post’s Mark Maske mentions Australia as a possible host site. Sweden has also been mentioned as a possible host down the line.
With the expanded international slate looking like a go for 2025, the NFL would be on tap to see half its teams play an international game. Considering the logistical issues that come with this and certain teams losing a home game, it will be interesting to see if the league expands further. Placing 16 international games would be the fairest number here, potentially awarding overseas “home” games to the conference assigned to play only eight true home games that season. Though, that might be a tough ask given the hurdles the league encounters when formulating a schedule annually.
No organized opposition stood in place to block this effort for as many as nine international games to be played per year, King notes, adding that the eight non-Mexico City games could be presented as a TV package in the 9:30am ET window. That has served as the window for this era’s batch of Europe-based contests. It appears the NFL, which played zero overseas games in 2020 or ’21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has opened the door to a four-window Sunday in at least half of the 2025 season.
Noise about a team stationed in Europe persists, but no true movement in that direction has taken place in years. But the NFL’s travel itineraries will still look a bit different in 2025.
Do the luxury boxes at the stadium in Brazil include leather seats?
I was hoping some games would be scheduled for the Vatican. Divine intervention will be needed to make the Bears a contender again.
Hahah
Real talk a game in Hawaii for Monday night would be awesome. I know that’s a state but something different. Also Labor Day games too
The CFL uses Labor Day for a couple of rivalry games and it seems to be popular with fans. NFL could give it a try.
Love to see Dumb Sports Fans circle-jerk about neutral site venues as if they’re normal game sites.
The NFL began its season over Labor Day from the late 1970s into the 1990s — and players hated it. Let college football start its season during that long weekend.
Yeah
Season ticket holders will continue to get screwed. Those prices are only increasing even if they lose a true home game.
Agree, and many of us have more important things to do on Sunday mornings, so hopefully the European games lose TV ratings over time (the real revenue NFL execs crave).
There’s also a significant Stateside story from the league meetings: SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles is expected to host Super Bowl 61 in 2027.
Wow what an incredibly safe country to choose!
LOL.
Goodell proves again that it’s anything for a quick buck!’
We’re getting hints as to which NFL clubs will play outside the US next term. The Miami Dolphins are being tipped to play in Brazil — and Jerry Jones told the Fort Worth daily that the Dallas Cowboys won’t host a game overseas unless it’s in Mexico City.
When is the NFL going to the land down under? Australia would love to host a game.
And yet on the simplest of things they are utterly oblivious to……
link to cbssports.com