The NFL's aggressive international growth plan includes hosting a Super Bowl outside the United States for the first time, commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday.
Goodell has shot down the idea in the past, but he said it was possible at a fan club in London.
“We've always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city — that's always been kind of a reward for cities that have NFL owners,” he said in response to a question about moving the mid-field game internationally. “But things change. It wouldn't surprise me if that happened one day.
Goodell floated the idea as he outlined a plan to play 16 international games each year if the regular season expands to 18 games.
He added that he had no doubt that Ireland would host a game soon. He named Rio de Janeiro as the new host and said the Jacksonville Jaguars were considering increasing the number of games they play in London during their stadium renovations at home.
This season's Super Bowl – the 59th edition – will be played in New Orleans. In 2026, Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, followed by SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California in 2027. Kansas City's 25-22 overtime win over San Francisco in the last Super Bowl. History of television.
Team owners already sanction eight international games, but Goodell said they could double that number – creating a situation where 32 teams could play an international game each year.
The key is expanding the regular season by one game and reducing the number of regular season games to two.
“If we expand our season — our regular season — to an 18-and-two structure, I see us going to 16 games that are in international markets,” Goodell said.
He added that a second week could be added to the schedule.
“A lot of that depends on — can we continue to make the game safer, can we continue to adapt the way we run the offseason and training camp and the season so that they're comfortable. Play at that time,” Goodell said.
In that scenario, the season would begin on Labor Day and end on President's Day – the third Monday in February.
A move to the 18th is seen as inevitable. The players union has indicated it is open to a deal before the current labor contract expires after the 2030 season.
There are five international games this season, and Goodell said the league wants to increase to eight “quickly.”
After Madrid gets its first game in 2025 – Dublin is tipped to be the next host.
“I have no doubt we are going to play in Ireland. I don't know if it will be next year, but it will be soon,” Goodell said at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He cited Rio de Janeiro as a possible host for the next Brazil game – Sao Paulo staged one this season.
London, which can sometimes get a night game, has hosted regular-season games since 2007 and Germany since 2022.
“We are looking at other markets in the other direction, towards Asia,” he said. “There may be more interest than we can handle.”
Goodell expects some offseason changes from the new kickoff rules but said overall, “it's working.”
The new rules have made kickoffs relevant again, he said, and early data on injuries is promising.
More than 30% of kickoffs have been returned this season, up from 20% last season, he said.
“As revenues increase, it gives us more data to determine if we can do it more safely. It's actually incredibly promising. We are seeing fewer impacts leading to fewer serious injuries and fewer injuries. So, I think it's working,” Goodell said.
On average, kickoff drives start beyond the 29-yard line, compared to past 24, he said.
“I think ultimately what we're going to see is a change in the offseason,” Goodell said. “Once we know it's a safe play, it will encourage more kickoffs. This can happen in two ways. You can move the kickoff line back so they can't kick it out as easily. You could say that the penalty for getting it out goes to 35 instead of 30 where we are.
The “big thing” about the new system, he said, “is that a little crease forms and the guy is gone. I'm just looking for a long kickoff return to get back into the game. I think we were four or five last year. In week 6 we are already at that number. That is very good.
