If you are an NFL player or coach – or a passionate fan who likes to plan a vacation to see your favorite team play on the road – you may want to keep your passport up to date.
Because we do not know where the NFL could go over the next five or 20 or 20 years.
This year includes a huge seven regular season games in international sites, including Sunday’s match between Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. It will be the very first regular NFL season game in Ireland, and the players of the two teams say they are delighted to be part of the story.
They just want there to be more time to do tourism.
“This is what it is, but if the calendar had been a little different – if I could have chosen it – maybe we are spending on Monday; Tuesday is the day off,” said the Steelers quarterrière, Aaron Rodgers. “It’s good to go out, seeing certain things. It’s a beautiful country, it seems that photos.”
It is a work trip for players, but an excellent opportunity for fans to take these additional days to explore. It is also a chance for the NFL to present its game to fans around the world which can see what it is to attend a game in person instead of seeing it only on the screen.
Consider the world league tour in 2025 only:
Week 1: Sao Paulo, Brazil (Los Angeles Loaders against Kansas City Chiefs)
Week 4: Dublin, Ireland (Pittsburgh Steelers against Minnesota Vikings)
Week 5: London, United Kingdom (Minnesota Vikings against Cleveland Browns)
Week 6: London, United Kingdom (Denver Broncos vs New York Jets)
Week 7: London, United Kingdom (Los Angeles Rams against Jacksonville Jaguars)
Week 10: Berlin, Germany (Atlanta Falcons against Indianapolis Colts)
Week 11: Madrid, Spain (Washington Commanders against Miami Dolphins)
The first two games in London will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the London final match will take place at the Wembley stadium. Meanwhile, Berlin and Spain will organize their first regular NFL season game in history, joining Dublin on the beginners’ list.
What cities could be following?
The NFL has already confirmed that it will host the first regular season game in Australia during the 2026 season. The game should be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground and featured Los Angeles Rams against an opponent who has not yet been announced.
The league will also return to Brazil next year because it has planned a match in Rio de Janeiro. This is part of an agreement for the NFL to play at least three games in five seasons in the city.
More international games are very likely but have not been announced. The League could plan a maximum of eight regular season games on international sites next season.
This year could be a good test for Ireland, Germany and Spain to host another game in 2026. London seems to be a lock for several games, given its longer history with the NFL. And Mexico City could return to the mixture depending on whether his stadium renovations are finished.
In the years beyond, who knows where the League is going? Why not Africa? Or Asia? Or a number of other places in Europe and South America, with Sydney in Australia.
Long trips sometimes pose challenges for players who are usually creatures and who are used to staying in the same hotels and playing in similar time zones. But the more the league continues to put pressure for international matches, the more players will get used to it.
It’s a good deal, even if it’s not always good football.
And it’s a good reminder to check this expiration date of the passport.
