Extra NFL international games planned for 2026

The NFL is looking to add more international games to the 2026 schedule, potentially adding new locations for the popular overseas games.

Next season will see the first NFL game played in Australia with the Los Angeles Rams set to host in Melbourne in 2026. There will also be returns to Mexico City and the start of a five-year commitment to play three regular season games in Rio de Janeiro.

All that means that the overseas element of the schedule will likely be expanded. The Athletic reports that the NFL is looking to increase to nine international games for the 2026 season.

The 2025 season has a total of seven overseas games with returns to São Paulo and London, as well as new stops in Berlin, Dublin and Madrid. Going forward NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that he would like to see up to 16 international games per season but that will be a gradual process.

“We have seven games this year, and six of those are league-organized, and we do believe next year there will be more than that,” said Gerrit Meier, the league’s Head of NFL International, during meetings in New York this week. “Whether that leads to the maximum of eight league-organized games or not, we will see, but the definite idea is to get ourselves more to the maximum.”

“We are thinking about each of the prioritized markets in a way that goes beyond just the games. What opportunity presents itself long-term to build fandom, to build engagement? What’s the affinity for sport overall?” Meier continued. “What you will see is the markets that we are picking to go to, we are committing long-term.”

The league’s push to expand into global audience is also evidenced in the opening up of broadcast rights to streaming platforms. Last year’s Christmas Day games were streamed live around the world on Netflix. Next month the Philadelphia Eagles - Chicago Bears game on November 28 will be broadcast globally on Prime Video.

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