In 2007, the NFL created the NFL International Series, starting the tradition of having annual regular-season international games.
In 2026, the NFL will play a record nine international games across seven countries and four continents. This is a significant jump since 2022, when the NFL played just five international games
The Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints take the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London as the U.S. and U.K. flags are displayed before an NFL International Series game. Source: Flickr.com.
The NFL Is Leading the Push
The NFL has been playing regular-season games in London since 2007, but its scope has expanded far beyond the U.K.
In 2026, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro and Paris will host NFL regular-season games for the first time, adding Australia as its latest continent. The league will also return to established markets such as London, Munich and Mexico City to increase their popularity.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has discussed eventually reaching 16 international games per season, which would allow every NFL team to play internationally each year.
As a result, rather than having permanent franchises overseas, the NFL can bring existing teams into different markets to build relationships with fans, sponsors, broadcasters, and host cities. It’s a failsafe in case a city does not work out.
Unfortunately, this means teams will have to travel more, which may lead to an increase in injuries and pushback from the NFL Players Association before any change is enacted.
Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, showcasing the global audience the NBA has increasingly sought to reach. Source: Wikimedia Commons
The NBA and MLB Are Expanding Too
Starting in the 2026-2027 season, the NBA has announced a three-year lineup of regular-season games in Europe, starting with Berlin and London. Although basketball has already become an international sport with global stars like Victor Wembanyama and Luka Dončić, these games will help the NBA gain more recognition.
The MLB has taken a similar approach through its World Tour. In April 2026, the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres played a two-game series in Mexico City. MLB has now played more than 200 international games across 11 countries and territories over the past 30 years.
In 2025, they also played exhibition and regular-season games in Japan, utilizing MLB’s biggest star, Shohei Ohtani, by scheduling the Dodgers to play. Japan has become the world’s second- largest market for baseball behind the U.S., and the number of Japanese players moving over to the U.S. is helping the MLB gain access to a new market.
Overall, American leagues are trying to go global to create a connection with fans that makes them repeat watchers instead of only tuning in for the Super Bowl.
International games are helping the NFL, NBA, and MLB reach their goals because attending a game lets them experience the environment of the sport rather than just watching it on TV. Stars from other countries also help leagues gain a larger fandom as those players succeed.
The 2014 MLB Japan All-Star Series at the Tokyo Dome, one of MLB’s efforts to connect with Japan’s large baseball market. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Why Going Global Matters
American leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB have mostly been focused on the American fanbase for their history. It wasn’t until the last 20 years that they decided to expand internationally.
The U.S. only has 340 million people, while the world has over eight billion. That means there is limitless financial potential for American sports leagues if they can get a foothold outside of the U.S.
More global markets mean new fans, media deals, sponsorships, merchandise sales, and commercial partnerships. More importantly, international games give leagues a way to develop those markets without committing to permanent expansion.
Back in 2023, there were rumors of an international NFL franchise or division; however, these ideas never materialized, giving way to the more realistic option of increasing the number of international games these leagues have each year.
Ultimately, these leagues don’t need to permanently expand and have teams in other countries; they just need to continue to prove that they are worth the attention of potential fans unfamiliar with American sports.
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Could the NFL, NBA, or MLB ever become truly global leagues? Comment below and follow SportsBizInsights for more sports business stories!
