Roger Goodell has made the NFL’s international ambitions clearer than ever. The commissioner recently said he has no doubt the league will eventually have teams outside the United States. His comments arrive during a record nine-game international season across four continents. London remains the league’s most established overseas market, while Australia, France, and Brazil gain new commitments.
Goodell has also connected a future franchise with the possibility of hosting a Super Bowl abroad. The latest remarks add another dimension to that international push. No city has been selected, but the league’s footprint points toward several markets with meaningful NFL infrastructure over the coming years.
Europe has the strongest existing foundation
London has the deepest history with the NFL outside the United States. The league played its first regular-season International Series game at Wembley in 2007, and London has become a recurring destination.
A permanent franchise would require more than a large audience for one annual game. The NFL has built commercial relationships and fan programs in the United Kingdom, while the Jaguars have developed a strong international identity through repeated appearances in London.
The European footprint now extends well beyond Britain. Germany, Spain, France, and Ireland have all hosted or been scheduled to host regular-season games, giving the NFL a broader network for local partnerships.
Goodell’s comments point beyond regular-season games
Goodell’s latest comments go beyond the current International Series strategy. In an August interview with German outlet RTL/ntv, he said there will eventually be NFL teams outside the United States and added that he has no doubt it will happen.
Goodell also tied a potential overseas franchise to a future Super Bowl. He said there are international cities capable of hosting the championship, but indicated the league would want an NFL team established in such a city first.
The comments put the franchise question into a broader framework. The NFL has spent years building international fan bases, commercial relationships, and year-round programs, but Goodell did not announce a specific city, timetable, or process for establishing a permanent team abroad.
London stands out, but no city has been chosen
London has the clearest track record, with 3 international games scheduled there during the 2026 season. The Jaguars will face the Texans at Wembley after 2 games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, giving the capital a prominent place on this year’s schedule.
Other European cities also have established NFL ties. Munich has hosted regular-season games and is scheduled to host another in 2028, while Berlin is set to host games in 2027 and 2029, showing the league’s continuing commitment to Germany.
Madrid has also become part of the NFL’s European schedule after hosting its first regular-season game in 2025, with the league returning there in 2026. However, the NFL has not identified London, Germany, Spain, or any other market as the location of its first permanent international team.
The league continues to build its presence across several European markets, but significant scheduling, travel, and competitive considerations remain before a permanent overseas team becomes a reality. Goodell has expressed confidence that international teams will eventually exist without naming a first destination.
Fun fact: The first NFL regular-season game outside the United States was played in Mexico City in 2005, when the Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers before 103,467 fans at Estadio Azteca.
The NFL is testing new markets at record speed
The 2026 schedule shows how quickly the league is broadening its reach. Melbourne hosted the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia in Week 1, while Paris is set to stage its first regular-season game in October, and Rio de Janeiro will host its first NFL regular-season game on September 27.
The league has committed to at least 3 regular-season games in Rio over 5 years. NFL officials have emphasized that the strategy is not “one and done,” with the league seeking to return to established markets.
Mexico City remains important. The NFL is returning there in November for the first time since 2022, while Brazil already has a growing history, with São Paulo hosting regular-season games in 2024 and 2025.
Asia could become the next frontier
Goodell has previously identified Asia as an area the NFL wants to enter. In 2025, he said the league’s next step after Australia would likely be to move into Asia, although he did not identify a specific country.
That comment matters because Australia is no longer a future concept. Melbourne has given the NFL a foothold in a major sports market as the league evaluates additional destinations.
The NFL also has a Global Markets Program covering 22 international markets, with all 32 clubs participating as of 2026. The program grants teams rights in marketing, fan engagement, and commercial activities, creating a structure to build local support before a larger commitment.
Expansion is moving, but the destination remains open
The NFL has approval to play up to 10 international games beyond 2026, up from the record nine scheduled this year. Goodell has previously discussed an eventual goal of 16 international games if the league moves to an 18-game regular season.
That does not establish a timetable for an overseas franchise. Travel, scheduling, stadium standards, and player workload remain practical considerations.
For now, the NFL is building multiple international markets rather than naming a single destination. London has the longest track record; Germany has sustained commitments; Brazil and Australia are expanding rapidly; and Asia remains part of Goodell’s stated long-term vision. The franchise question is central to the NFL’s global strategy, but the first city remains officially undecided.
TL;DR
- Roger Goodell said the NFL will eventually have teams based outside the United States.
- London has the league’s longest and most established international history.
- The NFL’s 2026 schedule includes a record nine international games across seven countries.
- Australia, Brazil, and France are among the newest major international markets.
- Goodell has also discussed Asia as a future destination for NFL games.
- No international city has been officially selected for the league’s first permanent franchise.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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