• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

NFL’s Big Schedule Play: 18-Games, 16 International Matchups on the Table

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell laid out a timeline of when he would like to see the league play 16 games per season outside the U.S.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The NFL wants to expand its regular season to 18 games and play 16 contests each year outside the U.S. That much has been clear from various comments made by franchise owners and commissioner Roger Goodell this year. Now, there’s a stated timeline for those goals.

On Thursday, during a panel at Liberty Media’s investor meeting in New York, Goodell said the NFL hopes to be at 16 international games “within five years.” 

That’s key because Goodell has previously hinted that getting to 16 games outside the U.S. each season will likely be tied to an expanded, 18-game regular season. “I’m confident, particularly if we’re going to do the restructuring of the season, that we would get to 16 at some point,” he said last month.

Next year, the league is eyeing eight games abroad, with Goodell recently confirming efforts to play in Ireland, Brazil, and Mexico, in addition to previously planned contests in the U.K., Germany, and Spain. The NFL is also said to be exploring selling a separate TV package of only international games that could be worth more than $1 billion.

Goodell’s push for an 18-game regular season has been fairly public since he first brought up the issue around the NFL draft. “I’m not a fan of the preseason,” he said in April while touting the benefits of an extra meaningful game each year in exchange for one less exhibition matchup.

He reiterated the idea of going to 18 regular-season games and just two preseason games Thursday. “That will open up more inventory to allow us to play more globally,” he said.

Another expansion of the regular season will need to be negotiated with players, and the current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2030 season. The NFL can also opt out of most of its media-rights deals after the 2029 season. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Calais Campbell (middle) receives the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award from executive director Lloyd Howell (left) and president) JC Tretter (right) at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

What Comes Next After NFLPA Chief’s Sudden Resignation?

Howell quit on his own accord; he was not forced out.

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

Manfred Says MLB Had Wrong Approach to Creators Like Jomboy

“You gotta go where people are going,” the commissioner said.
July 17, 2025

Unrivaled Founder Says Growing League Has ‘No Conflict’ With WNBA

Alex Bazzell co-founded Unrivaled with Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
Lloyd Howell
July 18, 2025

Scandal-Ridden NFLPA Chief Lloyd Howell Quits

The union executive director stepped down late Thursday night.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
exclusive
July 17, 2025

WNBA, Union Make Little Progress on CBA at All-Star Meeting

Over 40 players showed up for labor negotiations with the league.
July 17, 2025

Cleveland’s WNBA Team Follows Golden State’s Proven Blueprint

The franchise will play its first WNBA season in 2028.
July 17, 2025

MLB’s Largest Payrolls Could Swell Further at Trade Deadline

As the MLB trade deadline nears, anxiety grows around the sport.
exclusive
July 16, 2025

Tennis Hall of Fame Rejects Bill Ackman’s $10M Gift

The Hall of Fame said it wants to avoid “any perception of impropriety.”