DETROIT (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said a few days ago during the Draft that his vision for the future of the league involves a dramatic increase in international games in the coming years. "I honestly believe we will be playing 16 international games in the next 10 years," Goodell commented during an interview with ESPN live. "I think we will aim to have eight or nine in the next two years."
In the 2024 season, the NFL will play three games in England, one in Germany, and the first in its history in Brazil (Sao Paulo), which is also scheduled for the first week of competition.
What is happening with the Mexico City?
"The reaction we are receiving from fans every time we play in a new market is incredible," admitted Goodell, "so we will continue playing in London, in Germany, and hopefully continue playing in Brazil. We will return to Mexico, but there are many more markets - obviously we are going to Spain next year, we have already planned it - but there are other markets that want us and we are actively looking for them."
The match in Spain is already confirmed to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, while the game in Mexico City for 2025 depends on the completion of the renovation works at the Estadio Azteca ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. At this time, it is estimated that the "Coloso de Santa Úrsula" will be ready by December of next year.
The NFL has not played an official game in Mexico since November 2022.
The NFL is betting on online streaming services
"As you know, we want the widest distribution. We want our games to be available to the widest possible audience," Goodell said. "But I also believe that streaming platforms provide us with more interactions. There are more opportunities to have alternative broadcasts."
The Thursday Night games are broadcast on Amazon Prime, and last season Peacock (from NBC) aired, with great audience success, the first playoff game that was exclusively streamed.
He also clarified that the league will continue to rotate the Draft to different cities as it has done since 2015 when they decided to leave New York. The only exception was in 2020, when it became virtual due to the pandemic. This year it took place in Detroit and the next one will be in Green Bay, Wisconsin.