NFL investigates sites in Spain, Brazil for regular-season games - ESPN

As the NFL prepares to play three games over the next three Sundays in London, the league already is preparing to play future international games in Spain and Brazil, according to NFL executive vice president Peter O'Reilly.

Earlier this month, the NFL sent officials to investigate the possibility of playing the first-ever NFL regular-season games in Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo as soon as next season.

«That's the diligence that we do constantly,» O'Reilly told ESPN on the Adam Schefter podcast that will be published Tuesday. «What is the stadium like here? Could we play a game here? What does the support look like?

»So we're not there yet in terms of timing on that. But you're right, we are spending time in those markets, building relationships and looking at the stadia there."

The NFL is looking at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, the home of legendary soccer club Real Madrid, and Estadio Metropolitano, the home of Atletico Madrid, as some of the potential sites in Spain. Neither Spain nor Brazil have not hosted regular-season NFL games.

«There's a lot of interest in the NFL,» O'Reilly said. «I mean, we saw it. We did a Super Bowl viewing party last year down in Brazil and it was packed and the energy is there.

»You've got some classic soccer clubs around the world who are really interested in hosting the NFL and building a relationship with the NFL. So the marriage of those two — there's interests there for sure, and it's just determining the timing and the approach."

Continuing NFL global growth has become a major strategic priority of the league and its 32 teams to drive fandom. The NFL will play five games this year in Europe — three in London and two in Germany. The Jaguars will play two straight games in London