Following the expansion of the NFL regular season from 16 games to 17 games in 2021, Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed hopes for further growth in the upcoming years. He stated that within the next five years, he envisions the league hosting 16 international games every season. Goodell acknowledged that achieving this would likely necessitate an extension of the current schedule, suggesting a possible shift from the present 17-game, three-preseason-game format to 18 regular-season games paired with two preseason games.
In 2024, the NFL scheduled five international matchups, showcasing one game in Brazil, three in London, and one in Germany. Notably, the recent matchup between the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers held in Munich marked the conclusion of the international series for the current season. Some analysts, including Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, noted that it is feasible for the NFL to accommodate 16 international games under the existing 17-game format, whereby each team would maintain their typical eight home games and eight road games, while also participating in one neutral-site game potentially located internationally.
However, the path to an 18-game schedule within the next five years may present significant challenges for Goodell. As indicated by Ben Fischer, the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) will remain effective until after the conclusion of the 2030 season, implying that any changes would require negotiations prior to the established bargaining timeline. Lloyd Howell, the NFLPA's executive director, previously acknowledged the potential for an 18-game season, contingent on player support and satisfactory outcomes in negotiations. Fischer reported that the NFLPA declined to comment on the prospect of a longer season. The league's expansion within the next five years could yield advantages in terms of television contracts, as the current agreements are set to expire after the 2029 season, with additional games likely attracting higher bids from broadcasting networks seeking to secure airing rights for the NFL.
