NFL international search interest: 2025 trends to know - ESPN

The NFL has been expanding its global footprint over the past two decades with a variety of international games. Sao Paolo, Dublin, London, Berlin and Madrid are featured cities on the NFL's international roadmap for the 2025 season.

In February 2025, the NFL announced that the first regular season game in Australia would be played in 2026. The Los Angeles Rams will be the designated home team at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.

In August 2025, Karol G was revealed as the halftime show headliner for the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers game in Sao Paolo, Brazil on September 5.

Let's dig into the NFL's timeline of international expansion.

History of NFL international efforts

When and where was the NFL's first international game?

The NFL has held games in other countries for almost 100 years. The first international regular-season game took place in Mexico City in 2005 between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. The American Bowl and NFL Europe helped drive international interest through overseas preseason games and developmental training, respectively.

The league stepped up its overseas efforts even more with the launch of the International Series on Oct. 28, 2007. The New York Giants faced off against the Miami Dolphins at London's Wembley Stadium. The Giants won 13-10 en route to the franchise's third Super Bowl title. From 2007-12, Wembley Stadium hosted one regular-season NFL game each season.

Which team has played the most international games since the International Series kicked off?

The Jacksonville Jaguars take the top spot, having played 13 games in London since 2013 — including back-to-back wins in 2023.

Which cities outside of the U.S. have hosted regular-season NFL