The NFL returns to the United Kingdom this weekend with the first of three London games in October. The Indianapolis Colts face the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, followed by the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Philadelphia Eagles. The trio ends at Wembley Stadium on October 18 with the Jaguars taking on the Houston Texans.

The NFL's commitment to the UK is clear, but the league is looking more globally. By the end of the 2026 season, nine regular season games will have been played internationally. London has proven a blueprint for efficient team operations, now applied to games in Australia, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris.

This NFL train is not slowing down. We could see 10 games next season and eventually 16 internationally, especially if the regular season expands to 18 games. Commissioner Roger Goodell supports a Formula 1 approach, playing in multiple markets to grow the fanbase worldwide.

However, talk of international franchises and a potential European division persists. Goodell alluded to this in Germany. The NFL keeps an open mind, and groundwork may be laid for a European team in London, Germany, Spain, or France, though the outcome remains uncertain.