Overview
- A Sports Business Journal report, cited by Reuters, says the NFL aims to add two more international games in 2026 to reach the nine-game cap for the first time.
- The league has confirmed 2026 games in Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro, and Commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL plans to return to Mexico City.
- Saudi Arabia will be evaluated for potential future games following new interest, though it is not among the countries with current NFL team marketing rights.
- EVP Peter O’Reilly said the NFL has identified a dozen to 13 priority markets and is conducting due diligence focused on long-term strategic value beyond stadium readiness.
- League officials also pointed to early-season parity and reported a 79.3% kickoff return rate under the tweaked dynamic kickoff rules.