NFL OKs up to 10 international games in ’27; teams can’t protect games

ORLANDO, Fla. — The NFL on Tuesday authorised the power to play as many as 10 international games beginning in 2027, up from eight beforehand.

“There’s a path to 10 [international games] in 2027,” government vice chairman of membership enterprise, international and league occasions Peter O’Reilly stated from the NFL’s spring league assembly.

The league additionally voted to strip teams’ capacity to protect any house games from international play. Previously, teams may protect two games.

The 2026 slate options 9 international games — eight league-run games and a London recreation as a part of an settlement with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Wembley Stadium. Playing that ninth recreation required NFLPA approval as collectively bargained. Now, the league can in the long run play the 10 games plus the Wembley recreation with NFLPA approval.

This yr’s host websites are Melbourne, Australia; Rio de Janeiro; London (three games); Paris; Madrid; Munich; and Mexico City. The league is scouting future websites.

Asian markets resembling Japan “have complexities [due to travel] but they are important” to the league and might be explored as future websites, O’Reilly stated.

The league’s rising international profile has led to questions on whether or not a Super Bowl might be performed on overseas soil. O’Reilly stated that is “not a front-burner issue” as of now.

But many across the league imagine the league might be getting shut to taking part in primarily one international recreation every week throughout the common season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has stated 16 international games is the aim.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.