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. 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 on the same pitch. The final matchup of the series will shift to Wembley Stadium on October 18, where the Jaguars will take on their AFC South rivals, the Houston Texans.
These fixtures underscore the NFL's unwavering commitment to the United Kingdom, but they also hint at a broader, more ambitious global strategy. By the close of the 2026 season, the league 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 been a proving ground for this model. The city has repeatedly demonstrated that teams can arrive, conduct efficient practices, deliver a high‑quality game, and depart without logistical hiccups.
That operational blueprint has now been replicated on other continents. Earlier this year the NFL broke new ground with games in Australia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a historic first is slated for the end of October when a contest will be held in Paris, France. The momentum is unmistakable, and the league appears intent on accelerating it. Projections suggest that next season could feature ten games abroad, and some analysts speculate that the NFL may soon reach a point where as many as sixteen regular‑season contests are played outside the United States each year.
Such an expansion would likely hinge on the outcome of forthcoming collective‑bargaining negotiations with the Players Association, which could see the regular season stretch from its current 17 games to 18. In many ways, the NFL is borrowing a page from Formula 1’s playbook: rotating teams through a variety of international venues to cultivate fan bases worldwide.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has been vocal about this approach, noting that limiting games to one or two foreign markets only grows the sport in those locales, whereas spreading contests across ten, twelve, or more markets can spark interest in a multitude of countries simultaneously. This philosophy has already been put into practice, but the conversation has also turned toward more permanent solutions, such as establishing international franchises or even a dedicated European division. Goodell hinted at the possibility of a European presence during a recent visit to Germany, suggesting that the league is keeping its options open. The underlying motivation is clear: the NFL does not want to lose the forward thrust it has built in recent years.
While the current Formula 1‑style tour is effective for raising awareness, the league is evaluating whether a deeper, more permanent footprint might be the next logical step. Could London eventually host its own franchise? Might we see teams based in Germany, Spain, or France, forming a continental division that competes alongside the traditional American clubs? The groundwork for such a scenario is already being laid.
Stadiums have proven they can accommodate the sport’s unique requirements, local fan bases have shown enthusiasm, and corporate partners are eager to tap into the NFL’s growing global appeal. Yet the path forward remains uncertain. Some observers recall early speculation about a London franchise that later faded as the league emphasized its touring model. Now, with the franchise discussion resurfacing, it appears the NFL is weighing both strategies simultaneously.
From a betting perspective, predicting the league’s exact trajectory is challenging. The organization seems comfortable pursuing the touring model for the time being, while keeping the door open for more permanent international ventures should market conditions prove favorable. In the meantime, the NFL is also investing heavily in grassroots initiatives, such as flag‑football programs, to nurture new talent and fan interest abroad.
What is indisputable is the heightened level of commitment among NFL owners and Commissioner Goodell to expand the game beyond American borders. This commitment is likely to shape league priorities for years to come, offering international fans more opportunities to experience live NFL action, whether through overseas games, streaming deals, or perhaps one day, 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 scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Viewers can also explore the latest Sky Sports packages or stream games without a contract via the NOW platform.