
The NFL’s owners will meet this week in Orlando. Among the items on the agenda is a potential expansion of the league’s international schedule.
Owners will have the option of increasing the number of overseas games to 10 for 2027, as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. That figure would not include the Jaguars’ ability to schedule a London contest separate from the NFL’s slate. The team’s home games are set to be played in Orlando in 2027 while stadium renovations in Jacksonville take place.
As a result, a maximum of 11 international games could be played that season. 2026 will see a new record set in that regard, and continued expansion of the overseas slate has long been a priority for the NFL’s owners. That is not expected to end (or even see a reduction) any time soon with new markets consistently being sought out.
In 2026, three games will be played in London; the Jags will play there in consecutive weeks. One game in each of Paris, Madrid and Munich will also be taking place. Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro will serve as host cities for NFL contests as well, with a return to Mexico City also forthcoming. Nine of the league’s first 11 weeks during the regular season will include an overseas game.
The NFL is aiming to eventually have every team play once internationally on an annual basis, something which has become increasingly clear over time. A 16-game slate would of course become more feasible with an overall expansion of the schedule from 17 games to 18. Nothing seems to be imminent on that front, but the widespread expectation remains that an 18-game setup will be in place relatively soon. Especially if/when that is the case, further expansion of markets outside the United States can be anticipated.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!