Tag: international

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Fans of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) watch in the second half during an NFL International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jaguars, 49ers both playing 2 international games

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL revealed the matchups for all nine international games on Wednesday with the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers both playing two contests.

The league’s most ambitious global schedule to date stretches across seven countries and four continents, starting with the NFL’s Australia debut in Week 1 between the 49ers and NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on Sept. 10.

The action moves to Brazil in Week 3 with the Baltimore Ravens facing the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 27 in Rio de Janeiro.

The London schedule begins in Week 4 with the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders squaring off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 4.

The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jaguars at the same venue in Week 5 on Oct. 11.

The Jaguars will stay in town for a Week 6 AFC South clash with the Houton Texans at London’s Wembley Stadium on Oct. 18.

The NFL makes its first trip to Paris in Week 7 as the Pittsburgh Steelers meet the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 25.

The league’s second trip to Spain takes place in Week 9 with the Cincinnati Bengals battling the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 8 in Madrid.

Next up is Germany, where the New England Patriots meet the Detroit Lions in Week 10 on Nov. 15 in Munich.

The final international offering features the Minnesota Vikings and 49ers in Mexico City in Week 11 on Nov. 22.

The league releases the full regular-season schedule on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, Brazil; The NFL shield logo at midfield at the 2024 NFL Sao Paolo Game at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL confirms no Friday opening-week game in 2026

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Fans of Friday night NFL games: savor the contest this week between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers from Sao Paolo, Brazil.

That’s because there won’t be a Friday night clash in the opening week in 2026. Hans Schroeder, the COO of NFL Media, confirmed that with reporters on Tuesday.

The little-known Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 prohibits NFL games from being broadcast within 75 miles of a college or high school football game between the second Friday night in September and the second Saturday in December.

And since the NFL now opens the season on the first Thursday after Labor Day, the date of that federal holiday dictates where the second Friday falls on the calendar.

Under the law, the next eligible Friday night slot won’t come until 2029.

The NFL could find a way around that, however, if it decides to hold a Friday game in the afternoon on a non-holiday weekend. That wouldn’t violate the law, which specifies games cannot start at 6 p.m. or later. An international game conceivably could start in prime time locally with a Friday afternoon start time in the United States.

The league has added a Black Friday game. This year, the Chicago Bears will travel to Philadelphia to meet the Eagles in a 3 p.m. game on Nov. 29.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2022; Mexico City, MEX; A general view outside Estadio Azteca prior to the NFL International Series Monday Night Football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Going global: NFL hosting kickoff parties in seven cities

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL is kicking off the season with fans around the globe by hosting watch parties in seven international cities.

The free “NFL Experience” events are taking place from Sept. 4-7 in Manchester, U.K.; Berlin, Germany; Madrid, Spain; Mexico City, Mexico; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Toronto, Canada; and Brisbane, Australia.

“Our international fan base is one of the fastest-growing communities in sports, and NFL Experience is our way to celebrate that passion and bring the excitement of NFL Kickoff directly to fans around the globe,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president for club business, international and league events.

“Through the success of the International Games and the passion we see from fans in markets around the world, it’s clear that the appetite for football has never been stronger. We’re building on that energy by creating more ways for fans to experience the game, helping make it a year-round, global NFL experience.”

The watch parties feature live game screenings with gameday food, local entertainment and giveaways. Fans can also compete in tailgate games and NFL Combine-style challenges and pose for photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

There will also be appearances by NFL legends, mascots and cheerleaders. The league claims to have more than 183 million fans worldwide.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; The 2024 NFL London Games, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears logo on the facade at an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL announces schedule for Dublin, London, Berlin, Madrid

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL revealed on Tuesday the participants in this season’s international games in Ireland, England, Germany and Spain.

The league previously announced that the Los Angeles Chargers will open the season at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5, but their opponent won’t be known until Wednesday’s full schedule release.

The Minnesota Vikings will become the first team to play back-to-back international contests in different countries, facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin on Sept. 28 at Croke Park before playing the Cleveland Browns at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 5.

“Playing in Ireland’s first-ever NFL game is an opportunity to introduce new fans to the Minnesota Vikings and help the league continue to make the game of football more accessible globally,” Vikings owner Mark Wilf said in a statement. “To do so against a storied franchise like the Pittsburgh Steelers adds a unique challenge that makes this even more special. We are honored to be selected for this historic game and will be anxious to see what promises to be an electric game day environment in Croke Park.”

Action continues in London on Oct. 12 with the Denver Broncos facing the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, followed by the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 19.

The scene shifts to Germany on Nov. 9 with the Atlanta Falcons meeting the Indianapolis Colts at historic Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

Finally, the NFL travels to Spain on Nov. 16 where the Washington Commanders will clash with the Miami Dolphins at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

All of the announced international meetings will air on NFL Network.

The full NFL schedule will be released on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, Brazil; The NFL shield logo at midfield at the 2024 NFL Sao Paolo Game at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL to explore playing a game in Middle East

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL is exploring the possibility of playing a regular-season game in the United Arab Emirates.

Peter O’Reilly, the league’s executive vice president, confirmed there is “strong interest” in hosting a game in Dubai or Abu Dhabi during a news conference on Monday at the NFL owners meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

“We don’t know the timing, and it’s really an ‘if’ in terms of whether we’ll play a game there. What I will say is that’s a market where there’s strong interest in our game on a year-round basis. … It’s a market we’ll continue to explore,” O’Reilly said.

“We’ve done some exploratory trips there to understand the viability of a potential regular-season game in the market, but we’ve got more work to do there in terms of what that looks like over this next stretch.”

As part of the NFL International Series, games were played in Brazil, England and Germany in 2024. All three nations are on the schedule again in 2025, along with Spain and Ireland. Australia will host a game in 2026.

The league expanded its global markets program on Monday by granting international marketing rights in the UAE to the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; A detailed view of a New York Giants helmet before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

NFL grants international market access to four new teams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants are going global.

The four teams are entering the NFL’s Global Markets Program for the first time, with three of them including Germany among their target countries.

In the third year of the league’s program, the total number of teams participating has risen to 25 across 19 different markets around the country. The program aims to help teams grow their presence on the international stage with events, marketing and commercial opportunities.

The Browns were granted rights to Nigeria — the first NFL team to access that market.

The Giants have rights to Germany, the Colts were allowed both Austria and Germany and the Lions were granted Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Canada.

The league also said that the Miami Dolphins are expanding their rights holdings to Argentina, Colombia and Mexico — the former two being targets for the first time. Miami already had rights in Brazil, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The Los Angeles Rams, who previously had rights in Australia, New Zealand, China and Mexico, became the first teams to expand their rights to Japan and South Korea.

“The momentum of the Global Markets Program underscores the strong commitment of NFL clubs to growing the game and their passionate fan bases around the world. Clubs are seeing the value and opportunity in new markets and aligning with the league to accelerate that growth together,” Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president for club business, major events and international, said in a statement. “We can’t wait to see the ongoing impact of the program on fandom and global growth in this season and in years ahead, both in new and existing markets and via new clubs joining and active clubs deepening their strategic commitments.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 3, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A NFL Shield logo on the flag football field at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

DAZN to deliver NFL’s international Game Pass service

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL announced a 10-year deal Tuesday with DAZN Group to deliver Game Pass International, starting with the 2023 season.

The service allows viewers in more than 200 countries and regions outside the United States, including Mexico and Canada, to watch every game in the regular season and playoffs — including the Super Bowl — plus NFL Network and NFL RedZone programming.

“Growing the NFL globally is a key strategic priority for the League and our 32 Clubs. We are excited to partner with DAZN to help us accelerate this effort,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

“Our goal has always been to make our games available to as many fans as possible, and we are confident that DAZN’s innovative viewing experience technology will best serve millions of viewers around the world while also engaging a new generation of international NFL fans.”

DAZN, which is available on most “smart” devices (televisions, phones, tablets and game consoles) has provided NFL Game Pass in Canada since 2017. DAZN has also been the NFL’s broadcast partner in Germany and Japan since 2016 and in Italy since 2018.

Game Pass International will not be available in China.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2022; Mexico City, MEXICO; A stadium sign announces the game s attendance during the fourth quarter between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bills, Chiefs, Patriots part of 2023 International Series

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three 2022 playoff teams will need passports next season as part of the NFL’s International Series.

The NFL announced five of the teams involved in the games Thursday, including the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans playing home games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Both teams made previous trips to London, Buffalo in 2015 and the Titans in 2018.

“The NFL has done an incredible job with this initiative,” Bills COO Ron Raccuia said Thursday. “We’re excited for Bills Mafia to experience Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, one of the primary design inspirations for our new stadium scheduled to open in 2026.”

As per their multi-year commitment to London, the Jacksonville Jaguars will play at Wembley Stadium.

Two games in Germany are scheduled, and two of the four teams involved were revealed on Thursday: the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots. New England is 3-0 in three previous international games.

“We know that some of our most passionate fans reside in Germany, and we look forward to finally playing a game there,” Patriots chairman Robert Kraft said in a statement.

The league identified Frankfurt and Munich as the host cities for the games in Germany over the next four years.

There will be no international game in Mexico in 2023 due to renovations planned for Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Game dates, times and locations are all confirmed when the NFL releases its full 2023 regular-season schedule.

–Field Level Media