NFL Eyes Expansion in Japan as International Games Reach Record High
LONDON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - The NFL plans to expand into new international markets, including Japan, as it seeks to build on growing interest outside the United States, the league's head of Europe and Asia-Pacific Brett Gosper said.
The National Football League (NFL) is looking to expand its presence in international markets, with Japan among the potential new locations, according to Brett Gosper, the league's head of Europe and Asia-Pacific. The NFL's 2026 regular season will see a record nine international games across seven countries, up from seven the previous year.
Gosper stated that Japan is a market of interest due to its existing fan base, participation, and affinity for American sports like baseball. However, he did acknowledge certain challenges in growing the sport in some Asian markets, particularly those that do not align with the U.S. game schedule. The NFL has already exported its sport to countries like the United Kingdom, Brazil, Spain, and Australia, with the latter hosting the first of nine international games on September 11.
The league's goal is to have more games internationally, potentially reaching 16 games outside the U.S. by 2030, according to Gosper. The recent increase in international games has reportedly benefited both U.S. and international fans by maintaining a high volume of games in their respective markets. Gosper also highlighted the positive impact of players like Jordan Mailata from markets where the NFL is seeking to establish a strong presence, noting the significant fan growth attributed to Mailata's popularity in Australia.
Gosper expressed a desire to see the NFL rated as a top three favorite sport in the countries where they operate within the next decade.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
