This season, the NFL is visiting England and Germany. Next year, at least two more countries could be added to the International Series.

The new NFL season is slowly getting rolling. Week 4 also marks the beginning of the International Series. The first of three London games, starting with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Atlanta Falcons.

There are also two games in Frankfurt in November. After the promising German opener between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks a year ago in Munich, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, among others, will meet in Hesse.

In keeping with the upcoming overseas visits, the NFL continues to push ahead with its expansion. As NFL Vice President Peter O’Reilly, who is responsible for the internationalisation of the league, revealed in the podcast of “ESPN” reporter Adam Schefter, there are concrete plans to go to Spain and Brazil.

“Those are two strong markets and two important markets,” the league official stressed: “And importantly, clubs are interested in those markets, too.” When the NFL allocated clubs the chance to win exclusive marketing rights for different countries in 2021, the Dolphins and Chicago Bears were awarded Spain, while the Florida franchise was also awarded Brazil.

NFL at the Estadion Santiago Bernabeu

The NFL has set its sights on Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo as host cities – possibly as early as next season. O’Reilly confirms, “It’s right that we’re looking at those markets, building relationships and looking at stadiums.” In the Spanish capital, the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and the Estadio Metropolitano, where Real and Atletico Madrid football clubs play their home games, are apparently candidates.

“There are some big football clubs in the world that are interested in hosting the NFL and building a relationship,” O’Reilly points out, “There’s definitely interest and it’s all about timing and approach now.” Appearances in Australia are also being considered, but there are special challenges “Down Under” in terms of logistics.

According to O’Reilly, it is not only the stadiums that are important, but also the support itself. At least with regard to Brazil, he can say: “We had a big Super Bowl party there. It was full and energetic. “