The National Football League has announced an expansion of its Global Markets Programme (GMP) ahead of the 2025 season, with four new clubs set to participate and two new markets added.

Launched in 2022, the GMP awards franchises the right to market themselves internationally, in a bid to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the USA through fan engagement, events, commercial opportunities and NFL Flag development. For 2025, the Baltimore Ravens (who have been granted rights in the United Kingdom), the Green Bay Packers (Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom), the Los Angeles Chargers (Greece) and the Washington Commanders (United Arab Emirates) have taken the opportunity to join the GMP, while Greece and the UAE — which will offer marketing opportunities to the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in addition to the Commanders — add new countries to the mix.

In total, 29 clubs will participate in the programme across 21 international markets — up from 25 clubs across 19 markets in 2024 — as the NFL continues to prioritise global growth and connecting with more fans around the world. The announcement comes hot on the heels of others revealing that the NFL International Series is to expand to Spain, Ireland and Australia across the next two seasons, as well as moving its German fixture to Berlin for 2025.

“The expansion of the Global Markets Programme in 2025 reflects the NFL’s continued focus to grow the game and connect with fans on a global scale,” NFL EVP Peter O’Reilly confirmed. “With more clubs entering the programme and existing clubs adding to their global rights, and as the program expands to new markets, we are seeing strong momentum and impact in growing fandom worldwide together.”

This year will also see nine clubs that already hold GMP rights expand to additional countries, acquiring between one and three territories as follows: Arizona Cardinals (Canada), Detroit Lions (Brazil), Indianapolis Colts (Switzerland and the entire DACH region), Kansas City Chiefs (Spain, Ireland and United Kingdom), Las Vegas Raiders (Australia and New Zealand), Los Angeles Rams (United Arab Emirates), Philadelphia Eagles (Brazil), San Francisco 49ers (United Arab Emirates) and Seattle Seahawks (Australia and New Zealand).

Clubs can only apply for rights to international markets by submitting proposals to the International Committee for review each spring. Successful applications are awarded rights for a five-year term and, during this period, can pursue activities that are consistent with what they can do in their home domestic market.

It remains to be seen whether the new additions have any bearing on forthcoming International Series matchups. Could the Eagles return to São Paulo to face the already-confirmed Los Angeles Chargers? Or how about Green Bay heading to the Emerald Isle to face the Pittsburgh Steelers? Maybe Madrid is about to see a rematch of the recent game in Germany between the Miami Dolphins and recent Spanish market addition Kansas City (although that would spoil a recently-heard rumour that the Cincinnati Bengals could be Iberia-bound…). Of course, the London-bound Cleveland Browns have to face Baltimore home and away every season, but KC are also on Jacksonville’s home schedule this season. While we’re speculating, the NFL could also get sneaky and scheduled the three London teams in something close to a round-robin tournament, as the Jets are due to host Cleveland, and the Jaguars likewise have a ‘home’ fixture against Gang Green. The Browns, meanwhile, are also slated to play recent UK addition Green Bay if the league decides against scheduling an all-AFC North clash overseas.

All the above fixtures are entirely possible given the known opponents for the confirmed International Series hosts.