The National Football League is back on British soil this weekend, kicking off a trio of games that will take place throughout October. The opening matchup will feature the Indianapolis Colts facing the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. A week later the Jacksonville Jaguars will travel to the same venue to meet the Philadelphia Eagles, and the final London contest will move to Wembley Stadium on October 18, where the Jaguars will square off against their AFC South rivals, the Houston Texans. While the league’s dedication to the United Kingdom remains evident, the broader strategy is unmistakably global.
By the conclusion of the 2026 season, the NFL will have staged nine regular‑season games outside the United States, a clear sign that the organization is becoming more adventurous with its international scheduling. London has been a proving ground for this approach, consistently demonstrating that teams can arrive, practice efficiently, compete in a high‑profile game, and depart without logistical nightmares.
That successful formula has now been exported to the opposite side of the planet. In the current season, the NFL has already broken new ground with contests in Australia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a historic first in Paris, France, slated for late October.
These ventures illustrate a deliberate effort to replicate the "Formula 1" model: rotating games through a variety of markets to spark local interest, build fan bases, and showcase the sport to new audiences. The momentum is unlikely to slow. Analysts predict ten international regular‑season games for the upcoming season, and some envision a future where as many as sixteen games are played abroad each year.
Realizing that schedule would require a renegotiated collective‑bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association, potentially expanding the regular season from its current 17 games to 18. Nonetheless, the league’s leadership appears committed to this global expansion path, mirroring the way Formula 1 has cultivated a worldwide following by taking races to different continents and cities. Former conversations with Commissioner Roger Goodell reveal a philosophy that spreading games across many markets yields a broader, more diverse fan base than concentrating on just one or two locations. Goodell has suggested that playing in ten, eleven, or even a dozen international venues could dramatically increase the sport’s global footprint.
At the same time, rumors of permanent overseas franchises—perhaps a European division with teams in London, Germany, Spain, and France—have surfaced, especially after Goodell’s comments during a recent visit to Germany. The rationale behind these musings is simple: the NFL does not want to lose the current surge of enthusiasm. By keeping options open, the league can adapt its strategy as it gathers data on which markets respond most positively.
The current "Formula 1" approach serves as a testing ground; if certain cities consistently generate strong ticket sales, television ratings, and local sponsorship, the league might consider establishing a permanent franchise there. From a betting perspective, the future remains uncertain.
Early speculation heavily favored a London franchise, but the conversation shifted toward a more itinerant model. Now, with the commissioner re‑introducing the franchise idea into public discourse, it appears the NFL is weighing both possibilities simultaneously—continuing to grow its international fan base through occasional games while also evaluating the feasibility of a more permanent presence.
In parallel with the on‑field expansion, the NFL is investing heavily in grassroots initiatives such as flag football, which serves as an entry point for new players and fans worldwide. These programs help cultivate a pipeline of talent and enthusiasm that could eventually support a full‑time overseas team.
Ultimately, the league’s owners and Commissioner Goodell have never been more determined to globalize American football. Whether that results in a permanent European division, a handful of dedicated overseas franchises, or simply a continued schedule of rotating international games, the commitment to growth is clear. For fans outside the United States, this translates into more opportunities to watch live NFL action, whether at iconic stadiums in London, Paris, or future venues yet to be announced. The 2026 NFL season will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, including every playoff game and the Super Bowl (Super Bowl LXI) scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027.
Viewers can also access the latest Sky Sports packages or stream games without a contract via the NOW platform. The league’s international ambitions promise an exciting era for football enthusiasts around the globe.