Introduction
The NFL is one of the most popular sports in the world, attracting millions of fans from around the globe each year. In recent years, the league has made efforts to expand its reach beyond North America and play games overseas. In this article, we will explore what NFL games will be played internationally in 2024 and provide a comprehensive guide for fans looking to catch the action.
1. Previous International Games
Before we dive into the upcoming international games, let’s take a look at some of the previous ones played by the NFL. In 2007, the league held its first-ever regular season game outside North America, when the Buffalo Bills faced off against the Toronto Argonauts in Canada. Since then, the NFL has continued to play games abroad, with locations including London, Mexico City, and Dublin.
2. Upcoming International Games in 2024
Now that we have a brief history of international NFL games let’s take a look at what’s on tap for 2024. The league has announced that it will hold two regular season games overseas in 2024, one in London and the other in Mexico City. The exact dates and matchups have not been finalized yet but we can expect some exciting games.
3. London Game
The NFL has a long-standing relationship with London, having held several games there since 2007. In 2016, the league announced that it would hold three regular season games in London over the next few years. The first game was held in 2016 between the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
4. Mexico City Game
The NFL has also been playing games in Mexico City since 2017. The league announced that it would hold two regular season games in Mexico City in 2018, one between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams and the other between the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos. In 2019, the league held another game in Mexico City between the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots.
5. Fan Experience
The NFL has made a big push to make these international games a memorable experience for fans. In London, the league has set up a temporary stadium called Wembley Stadium, which holds over 80,000 people. In Mexico City, the league has used the Estadio Azteca, which is the largest stadium in the world with a capacity of over 130,000 people.
6. Impact on Player Health
Playing games overseas can have an impact on player health, as travel and time zone differences can take a toll on players’ bodies. However, the NFL has taken steps to mitigate these risks by providing extra rest days for teams and giving players additional support staff to help them adjust to the new time zone.
7. Future of International Games
The NFL has been very successful with its international games, attracting large crowds and generating significant revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcast rights. It’s likely that we will see more international games in the future as the league continues to expand its global reach.
Summary
NFL games played internationally are a testament to the league’s commitment to growing its fan base beyond North America. In 2024, we can expect two exciting games in London and Mexico City, with more international games likely on the horizon in the future. As fans, it’s a great opportunity to experience the NFL in a new way and see some of the best players in the world compete on an international stage.
