The National Football League is back on British soil this weekend, kicking off a trio of games that will take place in London throughout October. On Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts will travel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face the Washington Commanders, and a week later the Jacksonville Jaguars will meet the Philadelphia Eagles at the same venue. The London series will conclude on October 18 at Wembley Stadium, where the Jaguars will clash with their AFC South rivals, the Houston Texans.
These fixtures underline the NFL’s ongoing commitment to the United Kingdom, but they also signal a broader, more ambitious global strategy. By the close of the 2026 season, the league will have staged nine regular‑season games outside the United States, a clear indication that the organization is willing to push beyond its traditional borders. London has played a pivotal role in this expansion, repeatedly demonstrating that teams can arrive, train efficiently, compete, and depart without logistical nightmares.
That successful template has now been replicated on the opposite side of the globe, with inaugural games already held in Australia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a historic match slated for Paris, France, toward the end of October. The momentum behind the NFL’s international push shows no signs of slowing.
In fact, the schedule for the next season is expected to feature ten overseas games, and some analysts speculate that the league could soon reach a point where as many as sixteen regular‑season contests are played abroad each year. Achieving that level of frequency would likely require a new collective‑bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association that expands the regular season from the current 17 games to 18. Until such a deal is reached, the league appears to be adopting a Formula 1‑style model: rotating games among a variety of markets to grow the fan base worldwide. Former conversations with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reveal the strategic thinking behind this approach.
Goodell has emphasized that limiting games to one or two overseas locations only expands the fan base in those specific areas. By contrast, staging contests in ten, twelve, or more cities around the world multiplies exposure and cultivates interest across a diverse set of countries.
This philosophy aligns with the league’s long‑term vision, which includes not just occasional exhibitions but potentially permanent footholds in key regions. The idea of an international franchise, perhaps even a European division, has been floated repeatedly. Goodell hinted at such possibilities during a recent visit to Germany, suggesting that the NFL does not want to lose the momentum it has built.
While the current strategy mirrors Formula 1’s rotating‑venue model, the league remains open to evolving that framework if market response proves strong enough. Could London eventually host a full‑time team? Might Germany, Spain, or France each field a franchise, forming a distinct European conference within the NFL?
Observers note that the groundwork for such a scenario is already being laid. The successful execution of multiple games in London, the seamless integration of teams into local facilities, and the enthusiastic reception from British fans all point toward a sustainable model.
Yet the path forward is not set in stone. Early speculation about a London franchise faded for a time as the league emphasized its touring approach, only to re‑emerge when Goodell revived the discussion.
This back‑and‑forth suggests that the NFL is still weighing its options, balancing the desire to grow the sport with the practicalities of logistics, revenue sharing, and player welfare. From a betting perspective, the uncertainty makes it difficult to predict which direction the league will ultimately take. Some fans recall intense chatter about a permanent London team a few years ago, which then gave way to the multi‑city Formula 1 strategy.
Now, with the franchise conversation back on the table, the league appears to be keeping its options open, focusing first on expanding viewership, attracting new participants through initiatives like flag football, and gauging the long‑term viability of overseas markets. What is clear, however, is that the commitment among NFL owners and Commissioner Goodell to international growth has never been stronger. The league is investing heavily in marketing, infrastructure, and grassroots programs to ensure that American football gains a foothold in new territories.
This dedication is likely to shape the NFL’s agenda for many years, offering fans around the world more opportunities to experience live games, follow their favorite teams, and perhaps one day cheer for a home‑grown European franchise. For those eager to follow the action, the 2026 NFL season—including every playoff game and the Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027—will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Viewers can also access the latest Sky Sports packages or stream games without a contract via NOW. The league’s global expansion promises an exciting future for international fans, and the upcoming London matchups are just the beginning of what could become a truly worldwide sport.