NFL Doubles Down on Global Expansion for 2026

Following a record international series, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed the league is adding more global games for 2026, targeting new markets in Australia and Brazil as it pushes toward an even more ambitious international footprint.

• More dots on the map: The 2026 expansion includes the NFL's first-ever matchup in Australia, with the Los Angeles Rams set to host in Melbourne. Brazil is also getting a second host city with a fixture planned for Rio de Janeiro. All told, the 2026 international schedule could feature as many as nine games.

• The long game: The push follows a 'spectacular' 2025 tour that included a successful debut in Madrid. Goodell confirmed the league will return to Spain, using the momentum to fuel an even more ambitious end game: a full 16-game international slate per season, driven by what Goodell describes as growing demand from new markets.

The NFL is no longer just testing international waters; it's building a global empire, using successful one-off games as beachheads for a permanent, revenue-generating presence abroad.

Beyond the expansion announcement, it's worth exploring the business mechanics and economic incentives that convince global stadiums like Real Madrid's to host games. The league's current push is built on a long history of international efforts, with data trends showing growing search interest in countries from Mexico to Australia. Meanwhile, in other football news, the college coaching carousel is already spinning, with major contract extensions and speculation shaping the 2026 season.