NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell signals future international franchises

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated that the league will eventually establish franchises based outside of the United States, expressing “no doubt” that international teams will one day exist. While a specific timeline remains unclear, Goodell has suggested that such a move could be more than a decade away.

The league is aggressively expanding its global footprint, with the 2026 season set to feature a record nine international games. Scheduled locations include Melbourne, Australia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; London, England; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; Munich, Germany; and Mexico City, Mexico. The 2026 schedule includes a matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City on November 22.

Goodell noted that while international cities could eventually host the Super Bowl, the league would prefer to see permanent NFL teams established in those locations first. The expansion strategy aims to grow the sport globally, though some players and coaches have expressed concerns regarding the logistical challenges and travel demands of an international schedule.