NFL eyes permanent international franchises, Goodell says

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league intends to establish permanent franchises in international markets, describing the move as part of a broader shift in how the NFL plans its global growth.

The comments come as the NFL schedules a record nine international games for the current season, spread across England, Australia, Brazil, France, Spain, Germany, and Mexico. Officials have positioned the expanded slate as both a fan-growth tool and a way to deepen the league’s commercial reach outside the United States.

International games as a pathway to overseas teams

Goodell said the league’s approach is phased rather than immediate. In his outline, repeated hosting of regular-season games in specific countries functions as a test of market viability, allowing the NFL to measure fan engagement and the operational realities of staging events at scale.

Officials said the strategic objective is to grow global media rights and strengthen the league’s relationship with international audiences. In this framework, frequent games are not only standalone events but also a step that could precede longer-term decisions such as team relocations.

Markets in focus this season

This season’s international schedule spans seven countries: England, Australia, Brazil, France, Spain, Germany, and Mexico. The league has not announced which market would be first for a permanent franchise, and Goodell did not provide a definitive timeline.

Goodell also said that if an overseas franchise is ultimately established, international hubs could eventually host major NFL events. He specifically pointed to the Super Bowl as an example of the kind of marquee event that could be considered once a permanent presence is in place.

Operational hurdles still unresolved

Goodell said significant logistical challenges remain for full-time overseas operations, even with a record volume of international play already on the calendar. He highlighted the need for robust travel infrastructure as a practical requirement for teams, staff, and game operations.

He also pointed to complex international labor regulations as another major consideration in moving from periodic games abroad to permanent international franchises. Officials indicated that these constraints are central to planning and could shape how quickly the league can move from testing markets to establishing teams.

What the league says comes next

According to Goodell, the NFL plans to continue assessing fan engagement and operational feasibility in the identified markets. While he said the league views a permanent international presence as an inevitable outcome of ongoing global development, he emphasized that execution details remain the critical focus.

For now, the league is using the expanded schedule to gather evidence on what works in each location. Officials said the concept of international teams is clear, but the practical requirements of year-round overseas operations are still being evaluated.