Roger Goodell reveals NFL is working “very hard” to add another international spot for regular season game
Ahead of the Week 10 game between the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers in Munich, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the league is working "very hard" to bring a game to a new city. Two years after the first-ever regular season game in the German city, the league is planning to extend its international calendar with another game in the European country.
During a Q&A session with fans, Goodell said the NFL is working to take a game to the country's capital, Berlin.
"I usually tell people, 'Don't believe rumors.' In this case, I might say, 'Believe it,'" Goodell said in Munich, per ESPN. "We're working on it, but it isn't finalized. We really feel like Berlin would be a great addition, so we're looking very hard at that. Our people have been working very hard at it. But I want to add that does not mean we're not going to be back in Frankfurt and Munich."
Back in 2021, Berlin didn't place a bid to host regular-season games in Germany, with Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf being the finalists. Last year, Frankfurt hosted the defending champions Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, with the Chiefs winning.
Allianz Arena, home to German giants Bayern Munich and one of the world's top sports venues, will welcome the New York Giants (2-7) and Carolina Panthers (2-7) to kick off Sunday's action of Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season.
How many international games did the NFL host this season?
The NFL started this season with an international game as the first Friday matchup in league history. The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers 34-29 at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil in Week 1.
A month later, the Minnesota Vikings handled the New York Jets 23-17 in Week 5 at the Northumberland Development Project in London; the following week, the Chicago Bears dismantled the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-16.
The Jaguars beat the New England Patriots 32-16 the next week at Wembley Stadium. The Giants and Panthers will play the fifth and final international game of this season.
In 2025, Madrid will be added to the international calendar, alongside Berlin. NFL team owners authorized the league to host eight international games per season starting in December, but Goodell has set his sights on expanding that to 16 international games in the future.