NFL Expands International Presence in 2026 Season
The NFL is set to make history with a record nine international games during the 2026 season, reaching across four continents and seven countries, starting with a game in Melbourne, Australia.
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will have their inaugural match in Australia on Friday, September 11, kicking off at 10:35 a.m. local time. This time matches up with a Thursday night game scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET.
As the league aims to broaden its global reach, there are, perhaps, some uncertainties about how players view this ambitious plan. Especially those, like the Rams and 49ers, who are set to travel in September.
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who was sidelined due to a Lisfranc injury when his team was supposed to play in England, sees the league’s international push as a smart business move. “I think what the NFL does is pretty much brand-based. It’s a business,” he stated. He acknowledges the significance of promoting football worldwide, noting that the league is tapping into both full-contact and flag football opportunities.
In fact, in the U.S. alone, there are around 2.4 million children under 17 playing organized flag football. But, globally, many more kids are engaging in flag games significantly supported by the NFL.
Legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg has expressed skepticism about the idea of hosting overseas Super Bowls, calling them an “Americana tournament.” He pointed out that international fans of all backgrounds are now attending NFL games, and league officials, including Commissioner Roger Goodell, are working hard to ensure these fans have access to live NFL action in their home countries.
Steinberg went on to say that while players enjoy the chance to travel and experience different cultures, the physical demands can be taxing, especially with long flights. Taking a 12-hour flight to London and then even longer flights through Europe can take a toll. Coaches, he believes, are not fond of the international games because they disrupt game schedules and routines.
Although Newton is no longer on the field, he remains involved in the sports world through his content creations like “Funky Friday” and “4th & 1 with Cam Newton,” as part of his production company, Iconic Saga. Recently, Newton’s team partnered with Offscript Worldwide, a platform that brings together cultural brands to promote athlete storytelling.
Newton elaborated on Offscript as an ecosystem linking various aspects of life from sports to culture. He has shifted his focus from athletics to content creation. “I always want to be a beacon for people figuring it out as they go along,” he said.
This partnership will launch the “4th & 1st College Tailgate Experience,” aimed at highlighting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their unique traditions, academic programs, and the game-day culture that defines them.
