The 2025 NFL season has already made history, as the league takes a bold step toward becoming a truly global sport. With a record seven regular-season games scheduled outside the United States in 2025, fans across the world are getting a first-hand look at the excitement of professional American football. From Dublin to Madrid, and London to São Paulo, the NFL is leaving no stone unturned in its effort to reach new audiences and grow its fan base internationally.
This season’s international slate includes some highly anticipated matchups that are drawing significant attention. In Dublin, the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park, marking the NFL’s debut in Ireland. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins are set to clash with the Washington Commanders in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the first-ever regular-season game in Spain.
London continues to host multiple games, featuring teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns, while Germany remains a key European market after the success of games in Munich and Frankfurt. Even South America is part of the league’s global vision, with São Paulo welcoming NFL action to further solidify the sport’s growing presence there.
Roger Goodell Reveals Future Destinations of International NFL Games
Amid these international milestones, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has offered a glimpse into the league’s future plans. Speaking from Dublin, Goodell confirmed that after the 2026 game in Australia, the NFL is looking to expand further into Asia. “I think our next step after Australia will probably be moving games into Asia,” he said.
The National Football League’s commissioner also added, “I think that’s the kind of thing we would like to be playing in. We are serious about being a global sport, and we have such great players, past and present, and in the future.” This move highlights the NFL’s strategic ambition to tap into vast and emerging markets across countries like Japan, China, India, and South Korea.
Beyond individual matchups, Goodell also revealed the league’s long-term goal of increasing the number of international games to 16 per season. With a growing appetite for American football around the world, this target seems increasingly achievable. Expanding the international footprint not only gives fans new opportunities to experience live NFL action. But also strengthens the league’s brand and player recognition on a global scale.
As the NFL continues to bring its brand of football to new markets, these international games are more than just exhibitions. But they are a statement of intent. By combining historic matchups with strategic planning for the future, the league is positioning itself as a global sporting powerhouse. With Ireland, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Brazil already on the schedule, and Asia on the horizon, Roger Goodell and the NFL are making it clear that the world is the next frontier for American football.