NFL Eyes Record 10 International Games in 2027, With Asia a Possible First-Time Host

The NFL’s global expansion shows no sign of slowing down. League executive Peter O’Reilly said this week that the NFL is discussing staging 10 international games in 2027 — the maximum permitted under the current collective bargaining agreement — and that entirely new regions, including Asia, could host a regular-season game for the first time.

From Nine Games to Ten

The league is already playing a record nine international games this season, with teams visiting Australia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany and Mexico. Owners voted in May to raise the cap on international games from eight to 10, and O’Reilly made clear the league wants to choose the right matchups for what he called limited inventory. “We are considering going up to 10 games next year and want to make sure we have the right 10 games,” he said, adding that each game must be as impactful as possible.

Because the Jacksonville Jaguars’ annual Wembley Stadium appearance in London falls outside the league’s limit, the actual total in 2027 could even reach 11 international contests — more than double the five per year the NFL staged as recently as 2024.

Could Asia Be Next?

The most intriguing possibility is a first regular-season game in Asia. “We like continuity, but we are looking at new regions, and Asia would be one of them,” O’Reilly said. Japan, which has hosted NFL preseason games in the past, has repeatedly been mentioned as a candidate, with Tokyo the likely destination, though league officials have previously suggested Asia might arrive after 2027. Italy has also been raised as a potential first-time host.

The comments came ahead of this Sunday’s game in Paris, where the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints will contest the first NFL game ever played in France. Commissioner Roger Goodell has long championed the international push and has even floated an eventual goal of 16 games abroad per season, though reaching that number would require a new labor agreement. For now, the league’s strategy is clear: return to the markets it is establishing, and keep adding new ones.

Source: Pro Football Talk