The National Football League is heading back across the Atlantic this weekend, kicking off a trio of games that will be staged in London throughout October. The opening matchup pits the Indianapolis Colts against the Washington Commanders at 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 final London fixture wraps up the month on October 18 at Wembley Stadium, where the Jaguars will meet their AFC South rivals, the Houston Texans.
These fixtures underscore the league’s ongoing dedication to the United Kingdom, but they also hint at a broader, more ambitious global strategy. By the close of the 2026 season, the NFL will have staged nine regular‑season contests outside the United States, a clear sign that the organization is becoming increasingly bold in its international outreach. London has played a pivotal role in proving that the logistics of moving a professional football team overseas are manageable. The city has repeatedly demonstrated that teams can arrive, conduct efficient practices, compete in a high‑quality game, and then depart without major disruption.
That operational template has now been exported to the other side of the globe. This season, for the first time, the league has scheduled games in Australia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a historic encounter in Paris, France, slated for late October. The momentum behind this "NFL train" shows no signs of slowing; if anything, it is accelerating.
Analysts predict that the league could schedule ten international games next season, and some even envision a future where as many as sixteen regular‑season contests 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 the current 17 games to 18. In many ways, the NFL’s approach mirrors that of Formula 1: different teams traveling to a rotating roster of venues to cultivate fan bases in diverse markets. Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly emphasized that playing in just one or two overseas locations only expands the sport in those specific areas.
By contrast, staging games in ten, twelve, or more cities around the world can spark interest across a multitude of nations, laying the groundwork for a truly global following. Goodell has also hinted at the possibility of establishing permanent international franchises, perhaps even a dedicated European division.
During a recent visit to Germany, he alluded to the idea of having teams based in major European capitals—London, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, and others—if the current touring model proves successful enough to justify a more permanent presence. The rationale behind this speculation is simple: the NFL does not want to lose the momentum it has built.
While the Formula 1‑style schedule remains the primary vehicle for growth right now, the league appears open to pivoting toward a more entrenched structure should the market response warrant it. The groundwork is already being laid; stadium upgrades, local partnerships, and grassroots programs such as flag‑football leagues are all part of a long‑term strategy to embed American football into the sporting culture of Europe and beyond. From a betting perspective, the future path is uncertain.
Early rumors in the past suggested a London‑based franchise, only to be set aside in favor of the traveling‑team model. Yet recent comments from Goodell suggest the franchise conversation is back on the table, indicating that the league is keeping its options flexible while it continues to chase new fans, new players, and new revenue streams. What is clear is that NFL owners and the commissioner are more committed than ever to expanding the game’s reach.
The push for international growth is not a fleeting marketing stunt; it is a central pillar of the league’s long‑term vision. Whether the next step involves more one‑off games in exotic locales, the establishment of a European division, or even full‑time franchises on the continent, the trajectory points toward a larger, more diverse global audience. For fans outside the United States, this expansion promises more opportunities to watch live NFL action.
The 2026 season will be available on Sky Sports, with every playoff game and the Super Bowl (LXI) scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Viewers can also stream games via NOW without a contract, ensuring that the excitement of American football is accessible to a worldwide audience. In summary, the NFL’s return to the UK this October is both a celebration of an already successful partnership and a stepping stone toward a more ambitious international future. Whether the league ultimately adopts a Formula 1‑style rotating schedule, launches permanent overseas franchises, or creates a dedicated European division, the commitment to growing the sport beyond American borders is unmistakable and likely to shape the next decade of professional football.