NFL will develop its worldwide schedule in 2027, and extra may very well be coming

ORLANDO, Fla. — The NFL permitted an modification Tuesday to permit a most of 10 league-run worldwide regular-season video games a season, and the league believes there’s a path to hitting that mark as early as 2027.

Previously, the NFL had capped that annual whole at eight worldwide video games. However, there are 9 in 2026, because the Jacksonville Jaguars will play back-to-back video games in London whereas EverBank Stadium undergoes renovations, negotiating and working one of many video games as the house staff. If the league needs to schedule greater than 10 worldwide video games in a future season, it will require approval from the NFLPA.

“That shows the momentum and I think the support for the model we have,” NFL govt vice chairman Peter O’Reilly stated on the spring conferences at Conrad Orlando at Evermore.

O’Reilly acknowledged the league may finally attain some extent the place it schedules as many as 16 worldwide video games a season.

Additionally, the NFL eradicated scheduling protections to ease the burden on the schedule-making course of. Teams had beforehand been permitted to guard two scheduled opponents from being concerned in worldwide video games, however they’ll now not accomplish that.

The league can also be eyeing new markets in Asia, together with Japan, for future sport websites, although O’Reilly didn’t anticipate a “complex” location till not less than 2028.

The NFL debuted in Brazil in 2024 and returned in 2025 and 2026. The league additionally launched video games in Ireland and Spain in 2025 and can add Australia and France this yr.

“Our strategy is not one and done,” O’Reilly stated. “Our goal is to go back to those markets that we’re establishing.”

O’Reilly additionally indicated a global Super Bowl isn’t a precedence in the mean time.

O’Reilly stated Monday on the “Up & Adams” show that the video games themselves are “big and glitzy,” however the worldwide growth goes past the regular-season video games performed within the fall.

“It’s about the year-round,” O’Reilly said. “It’s about all of the days in between where you’re building the game.”

O’Reilly highlighted the Miami Dolphins’ number of Seydou Traore within the fifth spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft as a “full-circle moment” as a result of Traore is a graduate of the NFL’s UK academy.

“That model is going to happen more and more,” O’Reilly stated. “Someone who grew up playing flag in one of our programs around the world, into one of our academies, and then playing on an NFL field. That’s what’s upon us.”

O’Reilly additionally stated the standard of the matchups might be essential because the worldwide slate continues to develop.

“That shows the importance to us (and) to our media partners around, making sure in these big windows and around the world, we’re showcasing incredible games,” O’Reilly said.