The NFL has made it a point of emphasis to stretch its reach far beyond just the United States and has infiltrated other countries and markets during that time. The 2024 season opened with its first-ever contest in Brazil, a dramatic Philadelphia Eagles victory over the Green Bay Packers on a Friday night is as unorthodox as the NFL gets.
Will we see any action from the International Series in Week 4? If so, where will the game be played?
Will Any NFL Games Be Played Abroad in Week 4?
The next time we’ll see games outside of the US will be Week 5, setting up a three-week stretch of games in London. The Jacksonville Jaguars will be the first team to play back-to-back games abroad.
The International Series will culminate in a matchup in Germany. The 2025 iteration will feature a first-ever game played in Madrid, Spain.
Here is the remainder of the International Series schedule:
Sunday, October 6 | Week 5
New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network (London)
Sunday, October 13 | Week 6
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network (London)
Sunday, October 20 | Week 7
New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network (London)
Sunday, November 10 | Week 10
New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network (Germany)
When Did the NFL Start Playing Internationally?
Between 1950 and 1983, there were 13 games involving NFL or AFL teams that were played outside of the United States; seven of those games were against CFL teams in Canada. Three other games were also played in Canada — one in Toronto, two in Montreal — but were against teams in their respective league rather than against outside opponents.
The final three games were played in Tokyo in 1976, Mexico City in 1978, and London which was played in 1983.
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The current NFL International Series as we know it was created in 2007, where for the first six seasons, Wembley Stadium hosted one game a year. In 2013, this grew to two games and then eventually three in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
From there, the NFL has continued to push the boundaries, add more games, and continue to broaden its horizon as it looks to make the NFL a global game enjoyed by all.
