It won't be easy to be a fan of the Eagles-Packers game on Friday.
The season opener between the two teams at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo will have several obstacles for fans hoping to follow the NFL's first foray into South America.
One stems from the fact that NBC's coverage of games outside of the Philadelphia and Green Bay markets will be limited to Peacock, the streaming app that caused major upset among fans last season because it was the only way to watch the Chiefs and Dolphins in last year's AFC Wild Card Game.
The playoff game drew 23 million viewers, making it “the most streamed live event in U.S. history” according to NBC, though that figure was lower than any other game televised that weekend.
It remains to be seen whether fans will re-subscribe to the $5.99 per month app.
Further infuriating fans hungry for updates is the Brazilian government's recent ban on X, a social media platform that remains the go-to place for many media professionals to share gaming news.
Journalists and fans in Brazil covering the NFL's first appearance in South America can no longer post live updates on the platform after they were banned for refusing to curb misinformation and failing to appoint legal representatives in Brazil.
Additionally, anyone who tries to circumvent the ban by using a VPN will be fined 50,000 reais ($8,900).
That means the second-screen experience (or single-screen, thanks to Peacock's exclusive streaming) may be very different, leading some reporters to turn to Threads, Instagram, YouTube or even lesser known social media networks like Mastodon and Bluesky.
News outlets like the Philadelphia Inquirer will shift their focus to live blog updates to which journalists can contribute, while the US-run X account will be phased out as well.
Still, those looking for the latest updates from their favorite Brazilian journalists may be left wanting.
“It has had an impact,” says WIP's Elliot Shore Parks. He told Front Office Sports“I'm doing the same job, but I'm not reaching the same audience. It's the biggest week of the year and an incredibly unique experience. The biggest part of my job is connecting with my fans, and without Twitter, I can't do that anymore.”
For fans, it might be worth considering some options before kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET.
