Each season, the NFL adds more and more international games to the schedule and commissioner Roger Goodell appeared to reveal the next city he plans to bring his product to
The Saints and Steelers face off in the first-ever NFL game in Paris
The Saints and Steelers face off in the first-ever NFL game in Paris(Image: Getty Images)
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The NFL is ready to accelerate its international growth and add Tokyo to its roster of locations despite the drama in Paris.
On Sunday, after taking a similar approach to the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams in arriving later than usual for an international game, the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched victory over the New Orleans Saints in the first NFL game in the French capital. The clash in Paris was the latest international game of the 2026 season, following clashes in Brazil, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
But the game was shrouded in controversy concerning off-field matters. Even at the game, the Stade de France had run out of food entirely before halftime, while there was immense concern surrounding the ongoing protests on the streets of Paris.
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Donald Trump urged the NFL to postpone the game amid ongoing protests, with Steelers pass-rusher TJ Watt's wife also criticizing the league for proceeding. But the NFL is hell-bent on expanding its international footprint, with games in new cities key.
Melbourne enjoyed its NFL bow earlier this season. Following the game in Rio de Janeiro and three in London, Paris hosted its first NFL game. Now, it seems Asia - and Japan, in particular - is next.
“Tokyo is clearly on our list,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said during an appearance on ‘NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal.’ “Whether it’s next year or the year after, it’s coming at some point in the near future.”
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Roger Goodell is always on the lookout for international cities to expand the NFL's footprint abroad
Roger Goodell is always on the lookout for international cities to expand the NFL's footprint abroad(Image: Getty Images)
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Asked why the NFL is so emboldened in expanding globally, Goodell declared: “Australia was off the charts. On a Friday morning at 10:30, having 100,000 people in the stadium was an incredible experience for us. I think it’s opened up new opportunities for us.
“The travel is something we think we can manage and do it without impacting negatively on the teams. So, each of these we learned something from, and we benefit, and we also open those other doors. We’re planning on playing global. That’s where we’re going.”
Goodell hopes the NFL can secure greater media partnerships in more markets around the world, and that games provide the foundation for broader growth. The league still has more international games to come in Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City, closing out a record nine-game international slate.
While he is a big proponent of the growth of the game on an international scale, Aaron Rodgers believes that - if the NFL is to continue adding games abroad - the league must mandate that travel to the site is on the preceding Sunday or Monday. This would allow players to acclimatize and enjoy the new culture.
“I wish there was a mandate, though, from the league, and they would have to open up their pocketbooks, too, which maybe they're a little tight on money and stuff,” Rodgers told reporters.
The four-time MVP added: “I think there's a mandate every team coming over Sunday or Monday to really enjoy the culture and the place you're going. You can do events in those cities and outreach stuff and community work. But they won't because they're a little tight.”