Goodell Predicts Future NFL Franchises Outside U.S.
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The NFL Commissioner views international team expansion as a certainty amid a record-breaking slate of global games.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated that the establishment of NFL franchises outside the United States is inevitable. In an interview with the German outlet RTL/ntv, Goodell asserted there is "no doubt" that international teams will exist one day, noting that certain cities are capable of hosting such an expansion, according to reporting from Sportsnet.
This vision comes as the league aggressively scales its international presence. Sportsnet reports that the NFL is scheduled to play a record nine games outside the U.S. during the 2026 season. This includes the league's debut in Australia on Sept. 11, featuring the Los Angeles Rams against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, as well as an inaugural game in Paris on Oct. 25 between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints.
London remains a primary hub for the International Series, having hosted 42 regular-season games since 2007. Sportsnet notes that three games are scheduled in London this season, with seven more planned from 2027 through 2029. This comes after the league approved a plan to hold up to 10 international games beginning next season.
Despite the push for permanent international franchises, some milestones remain secondary. Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's executive vice president of club business, international and league events, described the prospect of hosting a Super Bowl outside the U.S. as "not a front-burner issue," as reported by Sportsnet.