The National Football League is back on British soil this weekend, kicking off a trio of games scheduled for October. The opening matchup will see the Indianapolis Colts travel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday. A week later the Jacksonville Jaguars will return to the same venue to take on the Philadelphia Eagles, and the final London fixture will move to Wembley Stadium on October 18, where the Jaguars will meet their AFC South rivals, the Houston Texans. These contests underscore the NFL’s deepening commitment to the United Kingdom, but they also hint at a broader, more global ambition.
By the conclusion of the 2026 season, the league will have staged nine regular‑season games outside the United States, a clear sign that the organization is becoming increasingly adventurous with its international schedule. London has proven to be a reliable proving ground for this strategy.
The city has repeatedly demonstrated that teams can arrive, set up practice facilities, play a high‑quality game, and depart with minimal disruption. That logistical blueprint has now been exported to the other side of the globe. Earlier this year the NFL held its first games in Australia and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a historic match in Paris, France is slated for the end of October. These milestones illustrate a deliberate, Formula‑1‑style rollout: different clubs performing in diverse markets to spark interest and grow fan bases worldwide.
Looking ahead, the pace of international expansion is likely to accelerate. Analysts predict ten overseas games in the next season, and some envision a future where as many as sixteen regular‑season contests are played abroad each year. Such a scenario would probably require a new collective‑bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association that expands the season from the current 17 games to 18, but the league appears eager to pursue that possibility.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly emphasized that limiting games to one or two foreign markets only expands the fan base in those locations. By contrast, staging games in ten, eleven, or even a dozen different cities spreads the sport’s exposure across multiple countries, creating a much broader base of supporters. Goodell has hinted at even more ambitious plans, including the prospect of permanent international franchises and perhaps a European division that could feature teams in London, Germany, Spain, France, and elsewhere.
The idea of a European franchise is not new, but it has resurfaced with renewed vigor. Early speculation focused heavily on a London‑based team, only to recede as the league leaned into the Formula‑1 model. Now, with the commissioner bringing the franchise conversation back to the forefront, it seems the NFL is keeping all options on the table. The organization wants to maintain momentum, continue growing its global audience, and explore new avenues for fan engagement, such as flag‑football programs that introduce the sport to younger players worldwide.
At present, the NFL appears to be following a two‑track approach. First, it continues to schedule high‑profile regular‑season games in a variety of international venues, using each event as a laboratory for market testing. Second, it keeps the door open for more permanent solutions, whether that means establishing a European division, planting a franchise in a major city like London, or even creating a hybrid model that blends both concepts.
The league’s owners and leadership have never been more committed to expanding the game’s reach beyond American borders, and that commitment is likely to shape NFL strategy for many years to come. For fans outside the United States, these developments are cause for optimism.
More games on foreign soil mean more opportunities to experience the sport live, and the prospect of a permanent team in Europe could provide a year‑round focal point for local supporters. As the NFL continues to test new markets, refine its logistical playbook, and gauge fan response, the future may hold a truly global league where the excitement of American football is a regular feature on stadiums from London to Berlin, from Paris to Sydney. In the meantime, viewers can catch every moment of the 2026 NFL season, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, via Sky Sports. Whether you watch on a traditional broadcast, stream through NOW without a contract, or follow the action on the league’s digital platforms, the message is clear: the NFL is on a mission to grow, and the United Kingdom is an essential stop on that journey.