NFL International Games 2024: Which stadium in Brazil will host the first-ever regular-season game?

The NFL world just witnessed the most surprising week in Week 14, where the underdog teams smashed the big fish of the league with upsetting victories. Big teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins went down to below-average sides.

The NFL games have garnered huge popularity from international fans in the last few years due to their uniqueness and intense competition. The league is also trying to capitalize on the opportunity by extending its horizons to international stadiums. Now, sports enthusiasts have a reason to be elated as the NFL international games in 2024 will witness Brazil as a new destination.

Which stadium in Brazil will host the NFL games?

To solidify its presence on the international stage, the NFL has recently announced its plan to stage a regular-season game in Brazil’s bustling city, São Paulo, in 2024. It marks the league’s inaugural venture into South America

The game is set to take place at São Paulo’s esteemed Arena Corinthians, renowned for hosting major sporting events such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. With a seating capacity nearing 50,000, this stadium has previously showcased the enthusiasm of sports fans on a global scale.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who has been vehemently vocal about his resentment towards some of the controversial plays of the NFL like “Tush Push”, expressed the league’s strategic commitment to broadening its horizons by reaching new continents, countries, and cities. At the 2023 December League Meeting held in Dallas, he discussed the pivotal role Brazil plays in the NFL’s global strategy and the eagerness to connect with the passionate and burgeoning fan base in São Paulo.

“Bringing the NFL to new continents, countries and cities around the world is a critical element of our plan to continue to grow the game globally. Brazil has established itself as a key market for the NFL, and we are excited to be playing in Brazil and São Paulo for the first time in 2024. We look forward to working with the city of São Paulo, SP Turis and Corinthians Arena to deliver a world-class game day experience for this passionate and growing fan base.”

Joined by Goodell, São Paulo’s Mayor Ricardo Nunes acknowledged the significance of bringing an NFL regular-season game to São Paulo. He shed light on the immense impact this initiative would have on the city’s tourism, employment, and economic landscape.

“The National Football League’s decision to bring a regular season game to São Paulo is significant and exciting for the city, consolidating São Paulo and Brazil at the center of the global sporting stage. Through our hard work, we will now be able to welcome the NFL to our city, hosting this historic game that will have a positive impact on tourism, employment and the city’s economy.”

This move is not isolated but forms part of the NFL’s concerted efforts to expand its footprint in Brazil. In 2023, the league FLAG programming took root in Brazil through a collaboration with the Brazilian American Football Confederation (CBFA). The initiative was taken to cultivate flag football at both grassroots and elite levels, and some elite players like the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes showcased interest in joining it.

Details on NFL International Games 2024 schedule

As aforementioned, São Paulo will take center stage as one of five cities hosting regular season NFL international games 2024. London, a known destination for the league’s international games, will host three of these games, with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium set for two matchups and Wembley Stadium, home to a Jacksonville Jaguars showdown as part of their strategic partnership. The league’s return to Germany will see the Allianz Arena in Munich hosting the fifth game, building upon two successful previous years of NFL games in Frankfurt.

Looking ahead, the NFL’s ambitions grow even further, as plans are in motion to expand international games to a potential eight matchups by 2025.

Spain emerges as a promising destination, while a return to Mexico is also being considered. It involves the Jacksonville Jaguars, operating under a distinct agreement to host an annual game at Wembley Stadium in London. While this game isn’t part of the NFL’s broader international series, it contributes to a total of nine regular season games set to unfold outside the United States starting from 2025.

The NFL’s foray into international play began in 2005 with a game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, featuring the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. Since then, the league has arranged 50 regular season international games, and various cities played host to the teams. London stands out prominently, having accommodated 36 games, while Toronto, Mexico City, Frankfurt, and Munich have also welcomed NFL matchups cordially.