NFL Eyes Japan for First Regular-Season International Game

Goodell Highlights New Target Markets

Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed to reporters at Fanatics Fest that the league is eyeing roughly ten additional countries for future regular‑season contests. He specifically mentioned Japan as a priority, noting the previous preseason match played in Tokyo. Goodell’s comments underscore a shift from exhibition play to permanent regular‑season fixtures overseas.

Push for a 16‑Game International Schedule

The NFL intends to expand the permissible annual international game total to 16, up from the current cap of ten. This increase hinges on approval from the NFL Players Association, which would need to agree to relax the existing limit. Moving beyond the present ceiling would dramatically boost the league’s global footprint and generate new revenue streams.

Japan’s Longstanding NFL History

The league’s connection to Japan dates back to 1976, when the San Diego Chargers faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the first U.S. professional sports exhibition held in Tokyo. That early foray laid the groundwork for the occasional preseason games that followed. Today’s push for a regular‑season game in Japan builds on more than four decades of cultural and competitive exchange between the NFL and Japanese fans.