This year, the NFL announced seven international games, spread across the likes of Brazil, Ireland, Germany, Spain and England.
This is the most international games in a single NFL season so far.
The NFL is expanding internationally in a long-term plan that’s been in place for decades.
The international series started back in 2007 with a series of games in London. In 2016, the international series went to Mexico, marking the second country in the series.
Since then, the series has expanded to seven countries total, with Australia and Spain being the newest additions.
A single international game can generate upwards of $50 million dollars in revenue. There have been about 50 international games so far.
The key to the international series’ success is the fan experience.
In an average NFL game, you’ll see fans wearing the jerseys of the two teams playing, and maybe a couple other teams’ jerseys here and there. The literal divide of jersey color can make it easy for fans to fall into an us vs. them mentality.
In the international games, you’ll see fans of every single team, united over a unique shared experience. That type of environment is incredibly rare and amazing.
U.S. based fans can plan vacations with the idea of seeing their favorite team and then exploring a new part of the world. American football gear can instantly connect you with someone across the world, where before, it was a logo that nobody would recognize.
By focusing not just on games and social media presence in other countries, but on slowly building up international fan bases through the use of community events (like watch parties) and flag football competitions across the globe, football can cross boundaries to the next generation of fans.
Expanding American football to other countries is also a great chance for cultural exchange.
Players get the chance to visit parts of the world they haven’t seen before which is an amazing opportunity to both take in a new culture as well as share their own culture.
The rest of the world gets a taste of American culture, learning about the sport so many Americans follow every weekend, from the first football games in August to the Super Bowl in February.
Usually, leagues are confined to teams from the country of their origin. Even with the international games, the NFL mostly still adheres to this principle.
With the success of the NFL international series, the NFL has been looking into the possibility of including internationally based teams, likely starting in London.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell believes that London could support up to two international teams. The NFL could even make a European division.
While it is still far too soon to say if such an idea would be feasible, the prospect is exciting.
If a European division proves viable, then who’s to say other continents can’t get divisions next?
The NFL is slowly heading towards becoming the first truly global league. While it may take a while to reach its fruition, the international future of the NFL is bright.
