The 2025 NFL season is showcasing the sport’s most ambitious push yet into international markets, and it’s already delivering excitement and opportunities to explore NFL odds to fans worldwide. From South America to Europe, the league is weaving American football into the global sporting tapestry with unprecedented flair and frequency.
Brazil kicks off the international season
The journey began in São Paulo, where the Los Angeles Chargers pulled off a stunning 27-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at the Corinthians Arena on September 5. This marked the NFL’s opening-weekend foray into Brazil and the latest chapter in its international saga. Justin Herbert was the star, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns, including a crucial late-game scramble to seal the win.
Broadcast live globally on YouTube for free, a bold move that opened up the game to a global audience and underlined a streaming revolution in NFL coverage. The league’s international season now spans seven fixtures, spanning four countries and showcasing such momentum that the NFL is investing heavily, reportedly part of a $23 billion growth plan.
Ireland makes history at Croke Park
Next up was Ireland’s inaugural NFL regular season match at Dublin’s Croke Park on Sunday, September 28, where the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-21 in front of an electric crowd of over 82,000.
It’s the first-ever in-season NFL game on Irish soil and a cultural touchstone for fans and players alike, especially with the Steelers having a large fan base in the Emerald Isle.
London’s triad of games
The NFL then turned its gaze to the UK, delivering three London games across two iconic venues. At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings bounced back against the Cleveland Browns with a 21-17 win, while the New York Jets were edged out 13-11 by the Denver Broncos to go 0-6.
On October 19, it was over to Wembley Stadium as the national stadium hosted the Los Angeles Rams vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, a now-staple of the London Games.
Berlin — Germany enters the fray
Berlin takes centre stage in Week 10 (November 9), where the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Indianapolis Colts face off at Olympic Stadium, an electrifying first NFL regular-season game in Germany’s capital.
Madrid — Spain’s grand debut
The final international chapter closes in Spain at the legendary Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Sunday, November 16, when the Washington Commanders take on the Miami Dolphins, marking the NFL’s first regular-season venture into Spain.
A new era of global reach
The 2025 schedule features a record seven international games, surpassing the previous high. From São Paulo’s passionate fans to Dublin’s historic precincts, London’s soccer-stadium grandeur, Berlin’s Olympian scale, and Madrid’s cultural prestige, the NFL is firmly planting its flag in globe-crisscrossed markets.
These games aren’t just about playing abroad, they’re strategic growth engines. They attract new fans, boost viewership and solidify the US sports entertainment industry’s international footprint. The league’s global push will extend into 2026, with plans already underway for a landmark game in Melbourne, Australia.
