Goodell Forecasts Permanent NFL Team Abroad and 10 International Games by 2027

Commissioner Roger Goodell stated there is 'no doubt' a permanent NFL team will be based outside the U.S., as the league expands to 10 international games in 2027.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that the league will eventually establish a permanent franchise outside the United States. During a recent interview with German media outlet RTL/ntv, Goodell told former player Markus Kuhn that he has no doubt this transition will occur. The league has already taken legislative steps to facilitate this growth, voting earlier this year to increase the number of international games to as many as 10 per season starting in 2027. This figure represents an increase from the previous limit of eight games per year.

For the 2026 season, the NFL schedule features nine international matchups. This slate includes eight league-run contests and one London game facilitated through a specific agreement between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Wembley Stadium. The league also recently stripped individual teams of their ability to protect home games from being moved to international venues, ensuring a wider rotation of franchises appearing in foreign markets.

Global Host Cities for 2026

The 2026 international calendar spans multiple continents and major metropolitan hubs. The host sites for these nine games are Melbourne, Australia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; Munich, Germany; and Mexico City, Mexico. London, England, will host three separate games during this period. This geographic diversity supports Goodell’s assertion that the league's international footprint is expanding rapidly toward a permanent presence.

Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's executive vice president of club business, international and league events, addressed the possibility of moving the championship game abroad in May. While O'Reilly noted that an international Super Bowl is not currently a "front-burner issue," Goodell suggested a different timeline based on team placement. The commissioner indicated that if a city gains a permanent NFL franchise, that specific location would then become a viable candidate to host a Super Bowl.

Criteria for International Super Bowls

Goodell emphasized that while certain international cities possess the infrastructure to host a Super Bowl, the league prefers to establish a local team first. The commissioner's insights, shared at 08:43 AM ET on August 18, 2026, highlight a shift in how the league views its global territory. By removing the protection of home games, the NFL has ensured that all member clubs are eligible for international travel, further integrating the global market into the standard regular-season structure.

The progression from eight to 10 international games by 2027 marks a significant increase in the league's commitment to non-U.S. markets. With Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro included in the 2026 lineup, the NFL is actively testing logistics in the Southern Hemisphere. Goodell's conversation with Kuhn reinforces that these individual games are precursors to a full-time international operation rather than isolated exhibition events. The league continues to evaluate which of these current host cities could eventually support the logistical demands of a permanent home team and a potential championship game.