NFL Commissioner targets Japan regular-season fixture amid global expansion push
Roger Goodell confirms interest in moving beyond preseason history in Tokyo and Osaka, citing approximately 10 countries under consideration for future growth.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has signalled a strategic shift in the league’s international policy, expressing a clear desire to schedule a regular-season fixture in Japan. The announcement, made during an interview with Sportico at Fanatics Fest, marks a significant step beyond the league’s historical reliance on preseason exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka. Goodell confirmed that the NFL is actively seeking to transition its presence in the country from temporary preseason events to a permanent regular-season status.
The commissioner noted that the league’s global ambitions extend well beyond Japan, stating he has approximately 10 countries on the radar for future expansion. This interest aligns with the NFL’s broader goal of hosting a record 10 international games in 2027. Currently, the league is scheduled to play nine international games this season across seven countries and four continents, including the first regular-season game in Australia.
Despite the aggressive expansion targets, the NFL’s capacity for international play is currently constrained by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The current CBA, which runs through the 2030 season, limits the league to 10 international games per year. Goodell has previously indicated a long-term aim to increase this figure to at least 16 games per season, a threshold that would allow every franchise to participate in an international fixture.
The San Francisco 49ers are set to undertake the most extensive travel schedule of any franchise this season, becoming the first team to play multiple international games in non-consecutive weeks. The 49ers will travel to Australia in Week 1 and Mexico City in Week 11. Since the International Series began in 2007, the 49ers hold the best record in international play, remaining undefeated with three wins in three games.
While the timeline for a specific regular-season game in Japan has not been confirmed, the move builds on a legacy that includes a dozen American Bowl preseason matches in Japan between 1989 and 2005. Previous international preseason locations have also included West Berlin in 1990 and Sydney, Australia, in 1999. The league continues to navigate the logistical and contractual complexities of global growth as it seeks to establish a permanent foothold in key Asian markets.
