The NFL’s owners will meet this week in Orlando. Among the items on the agenda is a potential expansion of the league’s international schedule.
Owners will have the option of increasing the number of overseas games to 10 for 2027, as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. That figure would not include the Jaguars’ ability to schedule a London contest separate from the NFL’s slate. The team’s home games are set to be played in Orlando in 2027 while stadium renovations in Jacksonville take place.
As a result, a maximum of 11 international games could be played that season. 2026 will see a new record set in that regard, and continued expansion of the overseas slate has long been a priority for the NFL’s owners. That is not expected to end (or even see a reduction) any time soon with new markets consistently being sought out.
In 2026, three games will be played in London; the Jags will play there in consecutive weeks. One game in each of Paris, Madrid and Munich will also be taking place. Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro will serve as host cities for NFL contests as well, with a return to Mexico City also forthcoming. Nine of the league’s first 11 weeks during the regular season will include an overseas game.
The NFL is aiming to eventually have every team play once internationally on an annual basis, something which has become increasingly clear over time. A 16-game slate would of course become more feasible with an overall expansion of the schedule from 17 games to 18. Nothing seems to be imminent on that front, but the widespread expectation remains that an 18-game setup will be in place relatively soon. Especially if/when that is the case, further expansion of markets outside the United States can be anticipated.
Ridiculous, these other countries don’t care about American football. Send them some exhibition games or bring back the World League and give them that. But to take home games away from our fans is BS. Also not fair to the teams traveling if it’s not sandwiched between bye weeks.
Just move the entire league outside the US. Imagine the fleecing that could take place to allow fans to travel abroad to see their favorite teams play. Kind of like the International games now where tickets start at $1295 each for an upper level ticket. Sure you might be able to get them for less if/when a Ticketmaster or equivalent puts them on sale. You should still plan that all seats from TM will be after market though.
There are 16 more regular season games than there ever were before a few years ago. They’re talking about 10 overseas games. So there will still be more stateside games than there ever used to be. I think you’re overreacting by a lot.
I don’t think anyone needs a Jets fan to lecture them on international games when they’re near-universally hated for being unnecessary and existing for only a gimmick and monetary reasons.
Yeah man, teams like to open up new revenue streams and make more money. I never said I like the international games or want more of them. But acting like this means all the games are leaving America when there are more games here than ever is a silly overreaction. My being a Jets fan doesn’t have anything to do with this exchange.
Great for owners.
What a disgrace and travesty for coaches and players, not to mention real fans of the negatively impacted team esp those paying for season tickets. Pure fk job.
Personally I stopped financially supporting the nfl a few years ago, no games and no merchandise and no tv ratings. I’ll follow the news and some teams but nothing that adds $ back to the league. Too bad other fans don’t follow and send a message.
Shad Kahn’s legacy as the Jags owner; he opened up the international market. And because of that, $40-50m deals are handed out every offseason to the players. Good for them as well.