NFL Eyes Asia as Next Game Destination While It Bolsters Ties With Dublin

The NFL wants to expand its slate of international games to Asia, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday without specifying any countries.

Goodell’s comment at an event in Dublin could indicate the league is ready to stage a game in the Middle East, and it comes a day after announcing that Rio de Janeiro will join the list of international hosts in 2026.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings play in Ireland's first regular-season game — and Goodell said he has no doubt there will be more in Dublin.

Sunday's game at Croke Park is the second of seven international games this season, and in 2026 Australia will host a regular-season game for the first time.

"I think our next step after Australia would be probably moving into Asia," Goodell said. "That’s a continent we’d like to be playing in. We are serious about being a global sport. We would like to get to 16 games so everyone is playing one game a year internationally."

A league spokesman declined to comment on which Asian countries the NFL is considering.

The NFL has already scouted locations in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, to hold a game. 

Saudi Arabia would likely be in the mix, too.

The oil-rich kingdom is set to host a flag football tournament next year featuring Tom Brady and active players including Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb and Christian McCaffrey.

Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, is partnering with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, to promote the event.

Saudi Arabia has spent massively on global sports in recent years. FIFA confirmed last year that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer.

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