Where could the NFL hold an international Super Bowl? The pros and cons of potential hosts
Where could the NFL hold an international Super Bowl? The pros and cons of potential hosts
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It’s a question Roger Goodell gets when he’s in London: Would the NFL stage a Super Bowl internationally?. The usual answer is that America’s biggest sporting event is reserved for cities that have NFL franchises. But as the commissioner noted in October, “ things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”.
As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles get set to square off in the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, here’s a look at some key factors and possible venues if the league were to take its marquee event abroad in a bid to take the game to a truly global audience.
It wouldn't be anytime soon. Super Bowl locations are set through 2028. And for international priorities, league officials are focused on increasing the number of regular-season games played abroad. Eight is the maximum number of league-operated games per season but they want to double that soon. This season, Brazil joined the list of countries to host a regular-season game. Spain is next. Ireland and Australia have been identified, and the league is considering the United Arab Emirates, too.
Times zones, weather worries, America first?. Viewers — and advertisers — are accustomed to the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff but with London five hours ahead and cities in Spain and Germany six hours ahead that would require flexibility on both sides. A game in Mexico City or Brazil would be easier from that perspective.
Europe in February can be dreary weather-wise, but Real Madrid’s newly renovated Santiago Bernabeu Stadium has a retractable roof. Even considering outdoor stadiums, Europe is the fastest-warming continent. The UK had its warmest February on record last year and was wetter than average, and Germany’s weather service said the 2023-24 winter was the country’s third-warmest and also one of the wettest.
