Pro Football Rumors
Earlier this offseason, Japan emerged as a candidate to become the next country to stage an NFL game during the regular season. Efforts to set up a contest there can indeed be expected in the near future.
When speaking at Fanatics Fest yesterday, commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed (video link via Sportico) Japan is a target for regular-season games moving forward. The 2026 season will see further expansion of the number of international contests and the list of new markets will continue to grow. 2027 could see as many as 11 games played outside the United States.
It has long been known a setup featuring 16 international games – one per team – is the NFL’s eventual target. That will require an agreement involving the NFLPA for an expansion of the number of contests which can be played overseas on an annual basis from its current figure, but it could be included within CBA changes if/when an 18-game slate takes shape. It would come as no surprise if Tokyo were to be among the cities staging NFL games relatively soon as a result.
A total of 14 exhibition games have been played in Japan. The first was held in 1976, with the most recent coming in 2005. Expansion of international markets has focused heavily on playing regular-season contests, though, and to no surprise Goodell specified his target would be for Japan’s next game to fall under that category. The same will no doubt be true of other new markets over time.
Goodell said he has “about 10” new destinations in mind with respect to international locations for future NFL games. The league has continued to expand its European markets over time, and Paris will make its debut this year. Brazil is also set to remain a regular location in 2026 and beyond, while the league’s first Australia contest will take place in September. Japan could soon emerge as another mainstay on the league’s international calendar.
