The NFL Is Expanding Its International Schedule And Sending Some Of Its Best Teams Overseas

The NFL began its international series in 2007 when the New York Giants, who later won the Super Bowl, took on the Miami Dolphins in front of 81,000 fans in Wembley Stadium.

From that point, the league’s popularity has only continued to grow beyond US borders.

In 2022, the NFL took five of its games international, including three games in London, one in Munich and one in Mexico City. Over 350,000 fans took in the games.

That number only stands to grow in 2023. The NFL announced a star-studded slate of teams who are set to host “home” games overseas next season.

That group includes the AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars, who will return to London yet again. But they’re just the appetizer. Both Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs and Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills will take their talents to Europe in 2023.

Mahomes and the Chiefs will play in one of two games stationed in Munich, while Allen and the Bills will head to London opponents for those games have yet to be determined.

The remaining teams set to host games in other countries are the New England Patriots in Munich and Tennessee Titans in London. Mexico City will not host a game in 2023 due to stadium renovations.

But the impressive list of teams has fans fired up.

Ultimately, the league appears to be moving toward trying to base an entire division in Europe. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell floated the idea of an NFL European Division earlier this season. But the logistical hurdles could well make that difficult.

The Jaguars, who have played more overseas games than any other team, are one team that seems primed for a potential move. Jags owner Shad Khan is also the owner of London-based Premier League team Fulham FC and has previously expressed interest in having a franchise in London.

Whether the division happens or not, it’s becoming increasingly clear that football is now a global game.