NFL OKs as much as 10 int’l video games in ’27; groups cannot shield video games

ORLANDO, Fla. — The NFL on Tuesday authorized the power to play as many as 10 worldwide video games beginning in 2027, up from eight beforehand.

“There’s a path to 10 [international games] in 2027,” government vp of membership enterprise, worldwide and league occasions Peter O’Reilly stated from the NFL’s spring league assembly.

The league additionally voted to strip groups’ skill to guard any dwelling video games from worldwide play. Previously, groups might shield two video games.

The 2026 slate options 9 worldwide video games — eight league-run video games and a London sport as a part of an settlement with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Wembley Stadium. Playing that ninth sport required NFLPA approval as collectively bargained. Now, the league can sooner or later play the ten video games plus the Wembley sport with NFLPA approval.

This yr’s host websites are Melbourne, Australia; Rio de Janeiro; London (three video games); Paris; Madrid; Munich; and Mexico City. The league is scouting future websites.

Asian markets reminiscent of Japan “have complexities [due to travel] but are important” to the league and could possibly be explored as future websites, O’Reilly stated.

The league’s rising worldwide profile has led to questions on whether or not a Super Bowl can be performed on overseas soil. O’Reilly stated that is “not a front-burner issue” as of now.

But many across the league imagine the league could possibly be getting near enjoying basically one worldwide sport per week throughout the common season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has stated 16 worldwide video games is the purpose.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.