The NFL’s continued growth internationally may eventually result in a franchise based outside of the United States. In fact, commissioner Roger Goodell has “no doubt” that that is in the league’s future. "At some point, there will be NFL teams outside the USA," Goodell told Germany’s RTL/ntv during an interview with former player Markus Kuhn. "I have no doubt that this will happen one day." Since 2007, the NFL has regularly played games outside of the U.S. The 2026 season will see nine international games on the schedule with host cities including Melbourne, Australia, Paris, and Mexico, among others. Earlier this year the NFL passed a vote that could see up to 10 international games played in a season beginning in 2027.
Play Yahoo's new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now! As the league keeps its eye on growing around the world, could a Super Bowl one day take place in a non-U.S. city? "There are definitely international cities that could host something like that," Goodell said. "But we would like to see an NFL team in such a city first." While the idea of an international Super Bowl continues to be a hot topic when discussing the league’s future plans, the idea is "not a front-burner issue,” according to what NFL Executive Vice President of Club Business Peter O’Reilly said in May.
Goodell has broached the subject of international expansion several times in the past few years. Ahead of Super Bowl LX he said that the idea of a non-U.S. franchise wasn't "off the table" and that he believed it was "very possible some day." In 2025, it was reported that the NFLPA was exploring the pros and cons of international teams as Goodell acknowledged that an international division was something that had been discussed.