Controversial NFL International Series expansion set to continue
The NFL will be taking even more games abroad in the future.
On the heels of the NFL rolling out the largest International Series slate yet this offseason, the news came on Tuesday that the league will be expanding its overseas presence even further in the coming years. At the league's spring meeting this week, NFL owners voted to increase the slate of league-operated international contests from eight games to 10 games, beginning with the 2027 season. "There's a path to 10 (international games) in 2027," executive vice president of club business, international and league events, Peter O'Reilly said.
NFL owners have approved increasing the maximum number of league-run international games per season from 8 to 10 beginning in 2027. That maximum does not include the Jaguars-run game in London. pic.
twitter. com/kGlHwniYli — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 19, 2026 The league will also make a significant change to the scheduling process for international games in hopes of making the process a bit easier. Previously, teams were allowed to lock in two home games that were protected from being moved to international status.
Now, those protections will be removed. The decision comes after the league will play 9 international games this upcoming season, with 8 run by the league and 1 as part of an agreement between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Wembley Stadium in London. O'Reilly believes the move to nine games this coming season "shows the momentum and I think the support for the model we have" in continuing to increase the league's footprint overseas.