Americans everywhere enjoy the sport of football, many having played it at some point in their lives. An American pastime is watching an NFL game with family and friends, with the Super Bowl being one of the biggest events of the year. However, unknown to many, the NFL has been expanding its reach beyond the country in which football originated to different parts of the globe, giving non-Americans the chance to see a game in person.
Since 2007, the NFL has had an international series every season, beginning in London, England. Since then, new countries have hosted games, including Germany, Ireland, Brazil, and Spain. Both Spain and Ireland were new destinations for games in 2025, with games being held in the countries’ capitals of Dublin and Madrid. Germany’s capital, Berlin, also saw its first game in 2025 between the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts. Previous games had been held in the cities of Munich and Frankfurt. These international expansion efforts have been put forth in an effort to grow fanbases, hold events, and offer commercial opportunities. All 32 NFL teams are a part of the NFL’s global market program, which gives individual teams the choice to market in whatever country they have been granted to do so.
According to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, international games have “been spectacular,” adding, “Australia is going to be our big learning next year.” International ventures will only expand, giving more countries the chance to enjoy the sport at the professional level. Next year, there may even be nine games played outside of the United States, with many franchise owners wanting 16 international games per season, a number that will likely be reached. Fans in the U.S. are supportive of these international games, with one fan, Jacob Walters, when asked if he thought international games were good for the NFL, stated, “Yes, it is good for the NFL economically,” citing that it would fill more stands.
These economic benefits are not to the NFL alone, with tourism holding profitable business and economic potential for new hosting countries as well. Jacob sees this potential too, citing “It helps their economy with tourists.” Adapting to the sport of football and driving interest in a sport potentially unfamiliar to citizens of a hosting country may pose an issue, however. Furthermore, NFL tickets, which are notoriously expensive, may be difficult to acquire for some. These concerns were voiced by Eagles fan Kenneth Estep, who said, “Are local people in those countries able to get to those games? Are they discounted, and do they enjoy it?”
These questions seem to have their answers, as, according to Goodell, “The great thing about our success is that so many other cities are reaching out and saying ‘We want one of these.’” Furthermore, the first game held in Madrid in 2025 drew a crowd of 78,610 fans to watch the Miami Dolphins play against the Washington Commanders, numbers that show worldwide excitement. The NFL’s international growth only appears to be expanding, and its future will ignite fan growth and participation in areas of the world that previously would’ve been thought to have nothing to do with football just a couple of decades ago.
