Overview
- GEA chairman Turki Alalshiki said he hopes the Kingdom will be next to stage a regular-season NFL matchup, citing countries like Brazil and the U.K. that already host games.
- Fanatics plans a March 2026 flag football event in Riyadh featuring Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Saquon Barkley, positioning the showcase as a marquee attraction.
- Reports note the NFL has warned active players about participating in the Riyadh exhibition, which is not league-sanctioned.
- Online reaction has turned sharply critical, with fans accusing the push of sportwashing and arguing the league is prioritizing profit over principles.
- The push comes as the NFL broadens its international slate, with recent and planned games in São Paulo, Dublin, London, Berlin, Madrid, Melbourne and Mexico City.