The National Football League is heading back across the Atlantic this weekend, kicking off a trio of games in London that will take place throughout October. The opening matchup pits the Indianapolis Colts against the Washington Commanders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, followed a week later by a contest between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Philadelphia Eagles at the same venue.
The London series wraps up on October 18 at Wembley Stadium, where the Jaguars will face 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 close of the 2026 season, the NFL will have staged nine regular‑season games outside the United States, a clear sign that the organization is willing to push boundaries.
London has been a proving ground for this ambition, consistently demonstrating that teams can arrive, train efficiently, compete, and depart without logistical nightmares. That successful "London model" has now been replicated on other continents, with inaugural games already held in Australia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a historic first in Paris scheduled for late October.
The momentum shows no signs of slowing. Analysts predict that the next season could feature ten international contests, and some insiders even envision a future where as many as sixteen games are played abroad each year. Achieving that level of expansion would likely require a renegotiated collective‑bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association, potentially extending the regular season from its current 17 games to 18.
In the meantime, the league appears to be emulating Formula 1’s playbook: rotating teams through a variety of international venues to cultivate fan bases worldwide. Former conversations with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reveal a philosophy that prioritizes breadth over depth. Goodell has argued that playing in just one or two foreign markets limits growth to those regions alone, whereas staging games in ten, eleven, or even a dozen locations spreads the sport’s appeal across multiple countries. This expansive outlook aligns with rumors of future international franchises and even the tantalizing notion of a European division.
Goodell hinted at such possibilities during a recent visit to Germany, suggesting that the league is keeping its options open. Why the urgency? The NFL does not want to lose the forward thrust it has built over the past decade. By maintaining a flexible approach—currently modeled after Formula 1 but ready to evolve—the league can test which markets respond best and adjust its strategy accordingly.
If certain cities, such as London, Munich, Madrid, or Paris, demonstrate sustained enthusiasm, the NFL could consider establishing permanent teams there, effectively creating a European division with clubs anchored in multiple nations. The groundwork for such a scenario is already visible. Stadium upgrades, local partnerships, and grassroots programs like flag‑football leagues are being rolled out to nurture home‑grown talent and fan interest. Moreover, the NFL’s media deals, including live broadcasts on Sky Sports and streaming options via NOW, ensure that international audiences can follow every play, from regular‑season matchups to the Super Bowl.
From a betting perspective, the future remains uncertain. Early speculation heavily favored a London franchise, then shifted toward the Formula 1‑style touring model, and now appears to be circling back to the franchise conversation.
This ebb and flow suggests that the league is not locked into a single path; instead, it is experimenting, measuring, and ready to pivot as data dictates. What is clear, however, is the unwavering commitment of NFL owners and Commissioner Goodell to grow the game beyond American borders. The league’s long‑term plan involves not only staging more international games but also expanding participation through initiatives like flag football, youth camps, and community outreach.
These efforts aim to embed American football into the cultural fabric of new regions, creating a pipeline of fans and players that could sustain the sport for generations. For fans abroad, the outlook is promising. More games mean more opportunities to experience the sport live, while expanded media coverage ensures that even those who cannot travel will still have access to high‑quality broadcasts.
As the NFL continues to test new markets, the possibility of a permanent European franchise—or even a full division—moves from speculation toward realistic expectation. In summary, the NFL’s return to the UK this October is more than a seasonal fixture; it is a strategic milestone in a broader campaign to globalize the sport. By leveraging successful models from London, experimenting in diverse locations like Australia, Brazil, and France, and keeping the franchise conversation alive, the league is laying the foundation for a truly international presence.
Whether that culminates in a European division, multiple overseas franchises, or simply a schedule packed with international games, the trajectory points toward a more global NFL for years to come.