The National Football League (NFL) is taking a monumental step in its global expansion by hosting its first regular season game in Brazil. On Friday, the Philadelphia Eagles will face off against the Green Bay Packers at Sao Paulo's Neo Quimica Arena, a 46,000-seat stadium primarily home to soccer club Corinthians.
Known as the land of Pele and 'The Beautiful Game,' Brazil will witness the intense action of American football for one night, marking a significant milestone in the NFL's mission to introduce its most popular sport to new international audiences. This event follows previous international games in cities like London, Munich, Frankfurt, Toronto, and Mexico City.
The NFL is not stopping here. Plans are already underway to host a regular season game in Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, scheduled for 2025. This ambitious strategy is fueled by the league's identification of a robust fan base in Brazil, with around 38 million fans, including 8.3 million avid followers, making it the second-largest international fan base after Mexico.
Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's Executive Vice-President of International Events, emphasized the league's commitment to becoming a true global sports property. \"The fundamental strategy is really a focus on becoming a true global sports property and growing the game and the fan base around the world,\" O'Reilly stated. He highlighted the success of previous international games and the passionate demand from new markets as key drivers behind this expansion.
With Friday's game in Brazil, the NFL is setting a strong foundation for future events in the region, aiming to cultivate a lasting and enthusiastic fan base in the country. This move not only broadens the NFL's reach but also enriches the global sports landscape by introducing American football to new and diverse audiences.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com