NFL Commissioner Says Super Bowl Could Take Place Outside US In The Future
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated this past week that the Super Bowl could be held outside of the United Stated as a part of the NFL’s international growth plan. The announcement was surprising to some fans as Goodell had refused the idea in the past.
“We’ve always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city – that was always sort of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises,” he said at a fan forum in London.
“But things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”
Goodell also outlined a plan that would potentially include playing 16 games internationally every year if the regular seasons expand to 18 games.
He stated that there was “no doubt” that Ireland would host a game as well as Rio de Janeiro. The Jacksonville Jaguars are also considering playing more games in London while their home stadium undergoes renovations.
This season’s Super Bowl will occur in New Orleans, in 2026 it will be hosted at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and in 2027 at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
“If we do expand our season – our regular season – to an 18-and-two structure, I see us going to 16 of those games being in international markets,” Goodell said.
“A lot of that depends on – can we continue to make the game safer, can we continue to modify the way we conduct the offseason as well as the training camp and as well as the season, so that these guys feel comfortable being able to play that period of time,” Goodell said.
For this season there are five international games, and Goodell stated that the league wants to increase that number to eight, with Dublin as the next likely host. .
“I have no doubt that we’re going to be playing in Ireland. I don’t know if it will be next year, but it’s coming soon,” Goodell said.
“We’re looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia. There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
Goodell expects “some offseason tweaks to the new kickoff rules but on the whole, it’s working. The new rules have made kickoffs relevant again, and the early data on injuries is promising. Just over 30% of kickoffs have been returned this season compared with 20% last season.”
“With that increase in returns, it’s giving us more data to determine whether we can do it more safely. It actually is incredibly promising. We’re seeing lower impacts that have led to less severe injuries and less number of injuries. So, I think it’s working,” Goodell said.
“On average, kickoffs drives are starting just past the 29-yard line, compared with just past the 24 previously,” he said.
“I think what we’ll see ultimately is a change in the offseason,” Goodell said.
“Once we know it’s a safer play, it will encourage more kickoffs. That could happen in a couple of ways. You could move the kickoff line back, so that they can’t kick it out as easily. You could also say the penalty for kicking it out is going to go to the 35 instead of where we’re at, the 30.”
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
