NFL Exec Says League Is Eyeing 10 International Games in 2027, Teases New Cities on Schedule

The NFL is hoping to continue its expansion of the international schedule next season.

Per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Peter O'Reilly, the league's executive vice president of club business and international and league events, said the NFL is considering adding an additional international game to the 2027 slate after having nine games outside of the United States this year.

In May, NFL owners voted to increase the cap on international games from eight to 10, starting in 2027. That number doesn't factor in the Jacksonville Jaguars' game at Wembley Stadium, so there could be up to 11 international games next year.

After owners approved an additional international game, O'Reilly noted that the league was eyeing a regular-season game in Japan, which would be a first for the NFL. Tokyo previously hosted a preseason game.

This season, the NFL held its first game in Australia as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne. France will host an NFL game for the first time on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New Orleans Saints in Paris.

While the NFL will add another game in 2027, it isn't looking to stop there. NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell said in July that he is hoping to have an international game almost every week, adding that he has "about 10" international markets that he's eyeing.

"We have our eyes set on being 16 games internationally every year," he said. "We think we can do it."

But having so many games outside of the United States isn't a decision Goodell can make without the approval of the NFL Players Association. Whether the NFLPA is willing to take on the additional travel that comes with playing international games remains to be seen.

Goodell's push to add international games is perhaps a part of a bigger plan. He said in August that he has "no doubt" that there will be an NFL team outside the United States "at some point." He's also hoping to have an international city host the Super Bowl.

"There are definitely international cities that could host something like that," he said. "But we would like to see an NFL team in such a city first."