Roger Goodell confirms plans to take the league to new countries, with the aim of holding 8 international games per season
The (National Football League) plans to hold international games in 2025 in countries such as Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico and Brazil. The statement was made by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Sunday (Nov 10, 2024), before the game between the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants in Munich, Germany.
This match marked the last of the season’s international games. Since 2007, the United Kingdom has hosted regular season American football league games. Now, the league is looking to expand its global presence. The information was released by .
Goodell expressed the league’s desire to explore new territory. “We will definitely go to Spain, we announced that. We hope to return to Mexico City. We hope to return to Brazil. We will definitely return to the UK. And we’re also looking at the potential for another game in the UK area, in Ireland possibly. This is a possibility. And we will certainly be back here in Germany. So if that total is 8, that’s what we’re aiming for,” he stated.
Ireland, with venues such as Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and Croke Park, emerges as a potential new destination. The inclusion would mark the country as the 6th to host a league game, after the United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany, Brazil and Spain, and the 4th European country to do so.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, who have international marketing rights in Ireland, are considered likely candidates to play in the country. The Steelers have a special connection to Ireland, as former owner Dan Rooney served as U.S. ambassador to the country from 2009 to 2012.
