Japan on NFL’s radar as league targets more global expansion
The NFL has exported its sport to territories like the United Kingdom, Brazil, Spain and now Australia, which will host the first of the nine international games on Sept. 11.
The NFL is exploring new international markets, including Japan, as it aims to capitalize on rising interest beyond its home country, according to Brett Gosper, the league's head of Europe and Asia-Pacific. The 2026 regular season will see a record nine international games across seven countries, a significant increase from the previous year's seven.
Gosper highlighted Japan as a market of particular interest, noting its existing fan base, active participation in the sport, and a general affinity for American sports like baseball. However, the league's former CEO expressed a cautionary note about the potential challenges of scoring a touchdown in some Asian markets.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
