Roger Goodell predicts NFL will eventually place teams outside United States

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated he has “no doubt” that the league will eventually base permanent franchises outside the United States. Speaking in an interview with former NFL player Markus Kuhn for the German broadcaster RTL/ntv, Goodell framed foreign franchise expansion as an absolute certainty driven by the sport's rapid international growth. The declaration arrives as the league prepares for a record-breaking slate of overseas fixtures, alongside structural rule changes that alter how teams surrender home fixtures to foreign markets.

The long-term vision for permanent overseas teams is underpinned by an expanding global calendar. The NFL’s history with international regular-season games dates back to 2005, when the Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Since then, the operation has scaled dramatically, anchored by regular fixtures in London—where Wembley Stadium has hosted games—alongside games in Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Ireland, and Spain. The upcoming 2026 schedule features a record nine international games, encompassing inaugural league trips to Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris, alongside fixtures in Munich, Madrid, Mexico City, and a trio of games in London. Goodell has previously envisioned an even larger footprint, suggesting the league could play 16 international games if the league eventually transitions to an 18-game schedule.

Related YouTube video

Operational rules are evolving to match this international ambition. The league voted to expand the international game cap to as many as 10 games starting in 2027, up from eight previously. Crucially, league owners also passed a measure that would strip teams of the ability to protect any home games from international play.

The accelerating international footprint has continually raised questions regarding whether the sport's marquee championship game could ever leave domestic soil. Goodell indicated that foreign cities possess the capability to host the event, but established a strict prerequisite for any such move.

"There are definitely international cities that could host something like that. But we would like to see an NFL team in such a city first."

Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, via RTL/ntv

This conditional openness contrasts with previous remarks from other league leadership. Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's executive vice president for international and league events, previously downplayed the prospect, calling an international Super Bowl "not a front-burner issue" while emphasizing domestic demand, potential weather factors, and a near-term focus on U.S. Host cities.

Meanwhile, the NFL Players Association declined to comment on Goodell’s remarks about a potential international franchise.

Goodell did not specify a timeline or year for when an international team will officially materialize.

Global Expansion and London's Anchor Role

According to Sportsnet, London has established itself as a cornerstone of the league's international calendar, having hosted 42 regular-season games since 2007. The city is slated for three matchups during the 2026 season, alongside seven additional games scheduled from 2027 through 2029. Meanwhile, historical precedent in the capital includes the Jacksonville Jaguars having played at least one game there per season since 2013, except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by The New York Times.

• 2005: Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, noted The New York Times.
• September 11, 2026: San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, marking the league's debut in Australia, according to Sportsnet.
• October 25, 2026: New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris for another inaugural league fixture, per Sportsnet.
• 2027: The NFL voted earlier this year to play as many as 10 international games starting in 2027, up from eight previously, according to TSN and The Score.

As the international series ventures into new territories such as Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris alongside returning fixtures in Munich, Madrid, Mexico City, and London, the league has also played games in Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Ireland and Spain. There will be a record nine international games in 2026, including the league’s first trips to Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro and Paris. Other destinations for the upcoming season include Mexico City, Munich, Madrid and three games in London.