A Complete Guide to NFL International Games

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 23 February 2023

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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NFL International Games

• International NFL Games
• What Are They?
• How They’ve Impacted the Sport
• Cons of International Games
• What Does The Future Hold?
• List of Notable International Games
• Frequently Asked Questions

The National Football League (NFL) is the top professional football league in the United States. However, the league’s popularity extends beyond the borders of the United States, with millions of fans watching worldwide. In an effort to tap into this global fan base, the NFL has made efforts to expand its international reach through regular season games played abroad.

NFL international games are exceptionally popular – and on this page, we’ll be showing you all you need to know about them, including where they’re regularly played and how they have positively impacted the NFL as a whole!

NFL International Games: An Introduction

NFL international games have been around since 2007, when the first encounter was held in London. These international games, known as the International Series, have been held in London, Mexico, and Germany. The success of the International Series has led to the creation of multiple games played abroad each season, helping to grow the league’s fan base and revenue. In this blog, we will delve into the history, impact, criticisms, and future of the NFL international games.

Tickets to international NFL games can be purchased through the NFL’s official ticketing partner, Ticketmaster. In addition to purchasing tickets directly through Ticketmaster, tickets can also be purchased through authorized ticket brokers or on the secondary market. However, you’re advised to be careful if purchasing tickets from third parties; always verify the tickets’ authenticity before handing over any money.

What Are the NFL International Games?

The first NFL international game was held in London in 2007 and featured the New York Giants defeating the Miami Dolphins. Since then, the league has held multiple games in London each season, with all games being played at Wembley Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In addition to London, the NFL has also held games in Mexico and Germany.

When the NFL International Series first launched, all the games were held exclusively in London. Wembley Stadium was chosen as the venue to host them – although due to the success, the league soon started looking at other locations – and other countries – and eventually started to also play games in Mexico and Germany.

The success of the NFL’s International Series has led to several games played abroad each season, helping to grow the league’s fan base and revenue. The international games also provide a unique experience for the players and fans, with the opportunity to visit and play in different countries.

However, the international games have also faced criticism, with some arguing that the long travel distances can be a disadvantage for the teams playing in the games and expressing concern about the impact of the international games on the players, such as fatigue and jet lag.

Despite these criticisms of international games, the NFL has announced plans to expand the International Series and potentially add a team based in London, with discussions also underway to play games in other countries.

Impact on the League

The National Football League’s international games, also known as the International Series, have had a significant impact on the league since they were first introduced in 2007. The success of the International Series has led to the creation of multiple games played abroad each season, helping to grow the league’s fan base and revenue.

One of the primary impacts of the international games has been the expansion of the league’s global reach. The NFL has a strong presence in the United States, but the international games have helped to introduce the sport to new markets around the world. By playing games in non-US countries, the NFL can reach a wider audience and expose more people to football.

The international games have also had a financial impact on the league. The NFL has reported strong ticket sales and merchandise revenue from the international games, as well as an increase in television ratings. The league has also signed sponsorship deals with international companies, further expanding its revenue streams.

In addition to the financial benefits and increased global reach, the international games provide a unique experience for the players and fans. The opportunity to visit and play in different countries adds an exciting element to the season for both the players and the fans.

Overall, the NFL international games have been a successful venture for the league and the future of the international games looks bright, with plans for further expansion in the works.

Criticism of International Games

The international games have faced some criticisms since they were first introduced in 2007. One of the main criticisms of the international games is the impact of the long travel distances on the teams playing in the games. The teams participating in the international games have to travel across the globe, which can be a significant undertaking.

Some argue that the long travel times can be a disadvantage for the teams, as it can cause fatigue and disrupt their regular routines. But others argue that both teams have to put up with the same disruption, and that they are given ample time to rest after the fixtures.

There have also been concerns about the impact of playing abroad on players’ health, such as the potential for injuries on unfamiliar playing surfaces. To mitigate this, the games are only played at world-class stadiums with fantastic conditions.

In response to these criticisms, the NFL has made efforts to address these issues. For example, the league has implemented several measures to minimize the impact of the long travel distances on the teams, such as providing extra rest days and accommodation. The league has also worked with local authorities to ensure that the playing surfaces are up to standard and safe for the players.

While the international games have faced some criticisms, they have also had many positive impacts on the league. The international games have helped to expand the NFL’s global reach, increase revenue, and provide a unique experience for the players and fans.

What Does The Future Hold?

While, at the time of writing, there are no concrete fixtures arranged for 2023 and onwards, the NFL has announced potential new locations. These include Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brazil. More recently, Australia and Canada have been in discussions with the NFL to host games – and it’s likely we’ll see even more countries added, too.

In the 15 years that international NFL games have taken place, almost all have been played at London’s Wembley Stadium, although the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium now also hosts games in London. Mexico has also hosted a significant portion of games, plus Germany hosted its first game in 2022.

Another exciting development was revealed in an interview between the Associated Press and Brett Gosper – the head of the NFL’s UK and European operations. He revealed that the NFL is looking at Spain and France as potential international locations.

Notable International NFL Games

Past international NFL games have proven to be pretty successful and popular – and despite football not being overly popular in any of the locations where these games have taken place, the stadiums have almost always sold out – bringing in significant amounts of revenue for both the NFL and the stadiums where the matches are played.

Below, we’re going to look at some of the most notable NFL games that have been played abroad. At the time of writing, past international NFL games have been played in three countries: the UK, Germany, and Mexico. The UK has hosted most of these games – while Germany has hosted just one.