THE GLOBAL GAME
“This is a unique time in our history to advance our growth, particularly internationally. It may be the single-most important growth moment in our history.”
Those were the comments made to me when I sat down with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in Frankfurt last November. The league has certainly backed up that bold statement by announcing that five regular season games will be played in Brazil, the UK and Germany this term. Madrid, Spain, is one notable venue set to come on board in 2025 as the league commits to doubling its overseas efforts with up to eight games per year from next year.
“We’re responding to fan interest,” Goodell added. “The NFL owners completely understand the potential. Every one of our teams has played an International Series regular season game and every single one of them comes back with the exact same reaction that there is really something powerful here and that there is an opportunity for us to become a global sport.”
With those words ringing in our ears — and with dreams of future games potentially being played in sites such as Dublin, Paris, Rome and perhaps even as far afield as Australia — here is a reminder of the five regular season games being played on international shores in 2024:
Week 1
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Friday, September 6, 2024
It will be one hot ticket when the Eagles and Packers meet on the second day of the new campaign for the first regular season game in Brazil. In a country passionate about the NFL, 47,000 lucky fans will be in attendance at Corinthians Arena to watch Jalen Hurts and Jordan Love go head to head in a showdown kicking off at 9.15pm local time (1:15am in the UK).
Week 5
Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets
London, UK
Sunday, October 6, 2024
There will be plenty of quarterback intrigue surrounding the first of two games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2024. Will Aaron Rodgers be hitting top form for the Jets or will it all have gone wrong yet again? And can Sam Darnold revitalise his career as he takes charge of the Vikings for the 2024 campaign following the training camp knee injury suffered by rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy?
Week 6
Chicago Bears vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
London, UK
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Caleb Williams is the first quarterback to enter the NFL with such a fanfare since… well, since his opposite number in this Tottenham clash, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence. While many observers will be keen to see how quickly Chicago’s first overall pick can affect his team, Lawrence is not to be ignored with a 3-1 record in London.
Week 7
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots
London, UK
Sunday, October 20, 2024
The Jags went 2-0 in London last year, defeating Atlanta and Buffalo on consecutive weekends. Can they repeat the trick in 2024? Jacksonville’s second game in London this season sees a return to their spiritual UK home of Wembley Stadium to take on a Patriots team that will take some getting used to with Jerod Mayo as head coach and either veteran Jacoby Brissett or rookie first-rounder Drake Maye at quarterback.
Week 10
Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants
Munich, Germany
Sunday, November 10, 2024
After playing two regular season games in Frankfurt last season, the NFL returns to the city that captured all of our hearts with a throaty rendition of Country Roads in 2022. Munich will play host to a Panthers team looking to get much more out of Bryce Young with quarterback whisperer Dave Canales installed as head coach. The Giants will play in Europe for a fourth time and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is sure to be one to watch.