2025 NFL Global Takeover: 7 Thrilling Games

The NFL’s expansion of its global reach in 2025 is not just a public relations slogan but a reality. The league is expanding its reach to international markets by hosting seven games in five different countries, bringing America’s pastime into the backyards of the entire world. With fans from Brazil to Germany preparing to celebrate in their stadiums, the NFL’s 2025 foreign schedule marks a significant turning point in its long-term expansion plan.

Seven International Games In Five Countries

Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs (Reportedly) vs Los Angeles Chargers Friday, September 5, 2025, Sao Paulo, Brazil

This matchup is not yet official. However, it’s heavily rumored that the Chiefs will be the team playing the Chargers. It could be Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes facing off in the second game of the NFL season. Kansas City has won seven straight games against the Chargers, and Mahomes is 7-1 all-time vs Herbert.

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, September 28, Dublin, Ireland

Ireland will host its first NFL regular season game when the Vikings and Steelers face off in Dublin. The game will be held at Croke Park, the largest sporting arena in Ireland and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) headquarters. This will not be Pittsburgh’s first game in Ireland, as the team played a preseason game in 1997 against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park as part of the American Bowl series.

Week 5: Minnesota Vikings vs Cleveland Browns Sunday, October 5, 2025, London, England

The NFL will experience yet another historic event with this game. Minnesota will become the first team to play consecutive International Series games in two different nations when the Vikings travel from Ireland to England to play in back-to-back weeks. This game will be even more special for Cleveland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, who spent 14 seasons coaching with the Vikings from 2006-2019.

Week 6: Denver Broncos vs New York Jets Sunday, October 12, 2025, London, England

With rising expectations in Denver, Bo Nix and the company will look to continue growing and become a great team. Sean Payton helped the team make a run to the playoffs last year. Now, the Broncos are traveling to London. In Week 6, they will play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against the New York Jets and their new head coach, Aaron Glenn. With new starting quarterback Justin Fields, the Jets are finally looking to establish themselves as great again.

Week 7: Los Angeles Rams vs Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, October 19, 20225, Wembley, England

The Jaguars will return to their home away from home when they travel to England once again. Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter Jr., the No. 2 overall pick, will travel across the pond. The new-look Jaguars will face Sean McVay and the Rams. Los Angeles will have its hands full with Hunter.

Week 10: Atlanta Falcons vs Indianapolis Colts Sunday, November 9, Berlin, Germany

Germany has hosted games in Munich and Frankfurt since debuting on the NFL’s International Series schedule in 2022. This year, however, Berlin is added to the list, as the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts will play the first NFL regular season game in the nation’s capital at Olympic Stadium.

Week 11: Washington Commanders vs Miami Dolphins, Sunday, November 16, Madrid, Spain

In Week 11, the 2025 International Series ends with another NFL first. It will be the first regular NFL season game played in Spain and will take place in Madrid. Real Madrid’s home stadium, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, will host the Dolphins and Commanders. Jayden Daniels and Tua Tagovailoa will face off in Week 11. Tagovailoa has wrapped up his fifth NFL season, but he and Daniels were both playing college football in 2019. Miami played in the first NFL game in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2023, and will now play in the first NFL game in Madrid.

NFL Global Strategy

For more than ten years, Commissioner Roger Goodell has supported this project. Under his leadership, the NFL started the International Series in London, and more recently, games have been held in Germany and Mexico. His goal of making American football a truly global sport is the foundation of the most ambitious expansion to date, scheduled for 2025.

Why Global Expansion Now?

In 2025, the NFL intensified its global agenda due to several significant factors, including a mature U.S. market. Since domestic growth has stalled, there are unrealized revenue streams that could be generated by expanding internationally. NFL Game Pass and international broadcast agreements have made watching games easier for viewers worldwide. Cultural openness has been important as American sports entertainment is becoming increasingly popular abroad.