The National Football League is heading back across the Atlantic this weekend, kicking off a trio of games in London that will fill the month of October with American football action. On Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts will face the Washington Commanders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and a week later the Jacksonville Jaguars will travel to the same venue to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. The final installment of this London series will move to Wembley Stadium on October 18, where the Jaguars will meet their AFC South rivals, the Houston Texans. While the league’s commitment to the United Kingdom remains evident, the broader picture shows a clear ambition to expand far beyond the British Isles.
By the close of the 2026 season, the NFL will have staged nine regular‑season contests on foreign soil, a milestone that underscores its increasingly global mindset. London has been instrumental in proving that the logistical challenges of moving teams, setting up practice facilities, and delivering a high‑quality game can be managed smoothly. That successful template has now been replicated on other continents.
This season, for the first time, the NFL will stage games in Australia and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and will also introduce a match in Paris, France, toward the end of October. The pace of international expansion shows no signs of slowing; in fact, league officials anticipate ten overseas games next season and suggest that a schedule featuring sixteen international matchups each year may not be far off.
Achieving that level of frequency would likely require the league to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association that expands the regular season from the current 17 games to 18. The strategy mirrors the Formula 1 model, where individual teams travel to a rotating roster of global venues to cultivate fan bases in multiple markets. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly emphasized that limiting games to one or two overseas cities only grows the sport in those locales, whereas staging contests in ten, twelve, or more locations spreads the brand across a much wider audience.
This approach appears to be the league’s current roadmap, but the conversation about establishing permanent international franchises—perhaps even an entire European division—has resurfaced. Goodell’s remarks during a recent visit to Germany hinted that the NFL is keeping its options open. The league does not want to lose the momentum it has built, so while the Formula 1‑style touring schedule remains the immediate focus, the possibility of more permanent footholds in key markets is being entertained.
Imagine a European division with teams based in London, Berlin, Madrid, and Paris, each competing regularly and fostering local rivalries that could deepen fan engagement. The groundwork for such a scenario is already being laid. Stadiums in London have demonstrated they can host NFL games with minimal disruption, and the NFL’s partnership with local authorities and broadcasters has grown stronger each year.
Meanwhile, flag‑football programs and grassroots initiatives are being rolled out across the continent, aiming to develop a new generation of players and supporters. From a betting perspective, the future path is uncertain. Early speculation centered on a permanent London franchise, but that narrative faded as the league embraced the touring model.
Now, with the franchise discussion back on the table, it seems the NFL is weighing both strategies: continue expanding its global footprint through one‑off games while simultaneously evaluating the viability of permanent overseas teams. Regardless of the ultimate direction, one thing is clear: the commitment among NFL owners and Commissioner Goodell to grow the sport internationally has never been stronger. The league is investing heavily in marketing, broadcast deals, and fan‑experience enhancements to ensure that the excitement of American football reaches new audiences worldwide. For fans outside the United States, this translates into more opportunities to watch live games, attend events, and participate in a community that is rapidly becoming global.
Looking ahead, the NFL’s international agenda will likely involve a blend of continued overseas regular‑season games, strategic partnerships with local leagues, and perhaps the eventual establishment of permanent teams in key markets. The evolution will be guided by fan response, commercial success, and the league’s ability to navigate logistical and regulatory challenges.
In the meantime, supporters can catch all the action this October, from the Colts‑Commanders clash at Tottenham to the Jaguars‑Texans showdown at Wembley, and stay tuned for the upcoming fixtures in Australia, Brazil, and Paris. The NFL’s global train is gaining speed, and whether it ultimately adopts a Formula 1‑style circuit or settles into a more traditional franchise model, the future looks bright for American football fans around the world.
For those eager to follow the 2026 season, Sky Sports will broadcast every game live, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027. Viewers can also explore streaming options on NOW without a contract, ensuring that the excitement of the NFL remains accessible no matter where they are located.