Goodell says NFL plans overseas franchises despite logistical hurdles

Goodell says NFL plans overseas franchises despite logistical hurdles

Sports

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league expects to eventually add a franchise outside the United States, but logistical, scheduling and player-preference issues make the prospect complex, with London and Mexico City identified as the most viable locations, according to The New York Times. Goodell has repeatedly told German media that overseas teams are inevitable and could eventually host a Super Bowl. He noted that the NFL’s international schedule is expanding, with nine games slated for abroad in the 2026 season, and analysts have ranked six cities—including London and Mexico City—as potential markets.

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Articles

August 19, 2026
4 total
Goodell says NFL teams will eventually be based outside the United States
Goodell says NFL teams will eventually be based outside the United States

SB Nation • 19 Aug 18:31

Commissioner Roger Goodell affirmed that the NFL will eventually have franchises located abroad, and analysts ranked six cities as the most viable options for such expansion.

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NFL weighs challenges of overseas franchise, cites London and Mexico City
NFL weighs challenges of overseas franchise, cites London and Mexico City

The New York Times • 19 Aug 17:39

The league’s commissioner says an international team is inevitable, but logistical, scheduling and player-preference issues make it a complex prospect, with London and Mexico City emerging as the most viable locations.

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NFL commissioner says league plans to establish multiple overseas franchises
NFL commissioner says league plans to establish multiple overseas franchises

Fox News • 19 Aug 01:26

Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that the NFL intends to locate several teams outside the United States and sees the possibility of an international Super Bowl, while the 2026 schedule already includes nine games abroad.

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NFL Commissioner signals possible expansion with teams outside the United States
NFL Commissioner signals possible expansion with teams outside the United States

NBC Sports • 19 Aug 00:48

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league expects to have teams based abroad, prompting discussion of future expansion beyond the current 32-team structure.

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August 18, 2026
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Goodell says NFL will eventually add a team outside the United States
Goodell says NFL will eventually add a team outside the United States

NFL.com • 18 Aug 17:02

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told a German outlet that he is confident a franchise will be based abroad, as the league expands its international schedule.

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NFL commissioner says league will eventually field a team outside the United States
NFL commissioner says league will eventually field a team outside the United States

espn.com • 18 Aug 12:43

Commissioner Roger Goodell told German media that a permanent NFL franchise abroad is inevitable, and such a market could later host a Super Bowl.

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NFL Commissioner says overseas franchises are inevitable
NFL Commissioner says overseas franchises are inevitable

NBC Sports • 18 Aug 09:45

Commissioner Roger Goodell told a German broadcaster that he expects NFL teams to be based outside the United States in the future, and that such markets could eventually host a Super Bowl.

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