During his annual state of the NFL media conference at Allegiant Stadium, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell unveiled a groundbreaking announcement: the Philadelphia Eagles will headline the league’s inaugural regular-season game in Brazil. Scheduled for Friday, September 6th, following the NFL’s season opener on Thursday night, the Eagles will take on an opponent yet to be determined in São Paulo.
Marking the NFL’s return to Friday night games on opening weekend after a hiatus of over half a century, Goodell expressed boundless optimism about the league’s global expansion. “We are just incredibly enthusiastic about our growth on a global basis,” he declared, highlighting the commitment from NFL ownership to increase international games annually. “We are convinced we can be a global sport in the near future.”
The Eagles’ 2024 home schedule includes matchups against traditional rivals like the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, along with contests against the Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, and other formidable opponents.
“Brazil is new for us this year,” Goodell continued, emphasizing the strategic move to engage fans worldwide. With Brazil boasting 38 million NFL enthusiasts and a growing interest in playoff and Super Bowl events, the league sees the upcoming game as a significant opportunity to expand its global footprint.
The chosen venue, the 49,000-seat Corinthians Arena, holds historical significance, having hosted World Cup matches in 2014 and Olympic soccer matches in 2016. This stadium serves as the ideal setting to showcase American football’s allure to Brazilian sports fans.
The NFL’s international endeavors aren’t confined to Brazil, as the league already stages games in England and Germany. With Spain potentially on the horizon for 2025, following a resolution passed by owners requiring each team to participate in international games every four years, the NFL’s global reach continues to broaden.
