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NFL Announces Tokyo Regular-Season Game for 2027-2028

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 11:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced a regular-season game in Tokyo for 2027 or 2028.
NFL vice president Peter O’Reilly said the league is evaluating Asia as part of ten international games planned for 2027.
The NFL will stage nine international games in 2026, including a Steelers-Saints matchup in Paris.
Goodell cited the 100,000-fan Melbourne game as proof that long-distance travel is feasible.

History

Historical Context

After the NFL ended its American Bowl tours and folded NFL Europe (2005-2007), it staged its first regular-season game abroad on Oct 2 2005, when the Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca before 103,467 fans. The 2021 collective-bargaining agreement mandated neutral-site games, and the league now plans a 2027 regular-season game in Japan as part of a ten-game overseas slate.

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Story summary

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced a regular-season game in Tokyo for 2027 or 2028.
NFL vice president Peter O’Reilly said the league is evaluating Asia as part of ten international games planned for 2027.
The NFL will stage nine international games in 2026, including a Steelers-Saints matchup in Paris.
Goodell cited the 100,000-fan Melbourne game as proof that long-distance travel is feasible.

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