After holding its winter meetings over the past few days in Irving, the National Football League has announced changes and enhancements to its upcoming schedule of games being played overseas as it continues to adapt its International Series.
Next season, the league will make its first-ever trip to South America after awarding a regular season game to Brazil, which will be played in Corinthians Arena in São Paulo.
“Bringing the NFL to new continents, countries and cities around the world is a critical element of our plan to continue to grow the game globally,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an official release. “Brazil has established itself as a key market for the NFL, and we are excited to be playing in Brazil and São Paulo for the first time in 2024. We look forward to working with the city of São Paulo, SP Turis and Corinthians Arena to deliver a world-class game day experience for this passionate and growing fan base.”
According to the league, São Paulo will be one of three cities outside North America to host an NFL game next season, joining Munich and London, which will host three games at two stadiums. São Paulo will become the fourth international city to host a regular-season NFL game.
“São Paulo positions itself as one of the major centers for some of the biggest events in the world,” Gustavo Pires, president of São Paulo Turismo, said in the press release. “The NFL’s decision to play in Brazil is a statement of confidence that will contribute to further strengthening São Paulo’s image as a location for major global events and we look forward to hosting a successful NFL International Game in 2024.”
In addition to next season’s game in Brazil, the league announced an ownership vote to double the number of international games played each season from four to eight. So, beginning in 2025, the NFL will play eight regular-season games outside the United States with new markets and stadiums in mind.
“As a league, we welcome the update to this resolution that will ultimately see us play more games internationally than ever before, helping us to expand our global footprint and connect our teams and athletes with new audiences,” Joel Glazer, chairman of the NFL’s International Committee and owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said in a release. “International games have been a huge success, and we are excited for the opportunity to share the sport of American football with more fans from around the world in the future.”
Teams have been rotating through the International Series schedule since the practice began in 2007, sometimes having to give up home games. Each club has to participate, and the Dallas Cowboys last played internationally in 2014.
Don’t expect Dallas to willingly give up a home game, though, unless it’s in Mexico.
“You’re required to give up a home game but we’re so committed to Mexico,” team owner Jerry Jones told The Dallas Morning News. “When we talk about playing away and not having a home game, that would be my first thought. I don’t want to not remember where our design is. If we give up a game, it would be a desire to make it a Mexican game.”