The NFL will play its first regular-season game in France next season, with the New Orleans Saints traveling to Paris as part of a nine-game international slate. The league also announced a multiyear deal to continue games at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and a return to Mexico City in December.
The Las Vegas Raiders are a candidate to participate in either the France or Mexico City game, according to the league.
Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed the plans at his Super Bowl news conference Monday, saying the league is responding to demand from cities worldwide. “It’s the ambition we have to be a global sport,” Goodell said. “But it’s also the demand we’re having. We’re hearing from cities that want to host these games and really want to get more American football.”
The Saints, who hold international marketing rights in France, will face an opponent to be determined after the schedule is finalized. Saints owner Gayle Benson cited the “strong cultural connection between Louisiana and France” as a reason for her excitement.
The Stade de France, built in 1998 and used for the 2024 Olympics, will host the Paris game. The NFL says it has more than 14 million fans in France and launched a flag football program there in 2023 that reaches over 8,000 children.
In addition to France, the league has already announced games in Australia (Los Angeles Rams), Rio de Janeiro, Munich, and three in London. Next season’s international total of nine games is part of a push toward 16 international games per year, so each team plays one abroad. “That’s an important mark to shoot for and I think we’re on our way,” Goodell said.
The NFL has played 62 regular-season games outside the U.S. across London, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, and Toronto. The addition of Australia and France will bring the total to nine countries.
Spain’s multiyear agreement follows last November’s game at the Bernabeu, where the Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime before 78,610 fans. NFL Spain country manager Rafa De Los Santos said the deal “underlines our commitment to the market and enables us to continue to engage fans year-round.”
The league has played five games in Mexico City, but none since 2022 due to stadium renovations for the World Cup. “We’re heading back to Mexico City in December, which I think is wonderful for our fans in Mexico,” Goodell said. “They’re redoing the stadium for the World Cup. This will be a chance for us to get back there this December.”
