There’s no question that the NFL has prioritized expanding its international presence over the last decade, bringing annual games to London, Germany, Brazil, Mexico City, and now, for the first time during the regular season, Ireland.
In 1997, the league held a preseason game in Ireland, but this Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings will face off in Dublin, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET.
Expanding the NFL’s global fanbase has long been a focus for commissioner Roger Goodell, and his latest proposal for international games has sparked an uproar among fans who feel the push may be excessive.
According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Goodell envisions the NFL hosting 16 international games per year, allowing each team the opportunity to play overseas at least once annually.
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“Not a single fan wants this. It’s so stupid. Why don’t we get premiere league games in America? Just give them our pre season games like they do with us,” one fan said.
Another fan added: “It’s bad enough that players are already outspoken about Thursday night football, now let’s ask them to fly all around the globe as well. Matter of fact, why don’t we put an International Game on a Thursday while we’re at it? Double down.”
Another person wrote, “Keep it domestic! You have a rabid fan base here. Sure, the EPL goes overseas for exhibition games. But this is a different sport. Teams traveling have such a disadvantage.”
“Literally no one wants this,” one more fan commented.
The 2025 International Games began in Week 1 when the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers faced off in São Paulo, Brazil. Over the next two weeks, games will be held in Ireland and London, further expanding the NFL’s international footprint, which will feature a total of seven games this season — three of them in London.
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