London, Munich to Host NFL International Games in 2024
The National Football League (NFL) has revealed the teams selected to play in London and Munich as part of the 2024 International Games. The Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Jacksonville Jaguars will each participate in international games in London during the 2024 regular season, while the Carolina Panthers will head to Munich, Germany. The specific opponents, dates, and kickoff times for these games will be announced in the spring when the 2024 schedule is revealed.
The games in London will be hosted at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is the only purpose-built NFL stadium outside of the United States. The stadium will feature matchups between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, while the Jacksonville Jaguars will return to Wembley Stadium. This will mark the Jaguars’ 12th game in the capital as part of their multi-year commitment to playing in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Munich’s Allianz Arena, home of FC Bayern Munich, will host the game between the Carolina Panthers and their opponent. This will be the second regular season game in Munich, following the NFL’s first-ever international game in Germany, which took place on November 13, 2022, and saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secure a 21-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
In addition to these scheduled games, the NFL recently announced that it will hold its first-ever regular season game in South America, specifically in São Paulo, Brazil, at Corinthians Arena in 2024. The designated team for this historic game will be announced at a later date.
Peter O’Reilly, the executive vice president of club business, league events, and international at the NFL, expressed the league’s enthusiasm about expanding its global presence. O’Reilly stated, “Taking our game to more fans around the world is a major priority for the league and its 32 teams, and we are delighted to be returning to London and Munich in 2024. Having our teams and their world-class athletes play games and engage with fans around the world is an important part of becoming a truly global sport.”
All four teams participating in the London and Munich games are part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program, which grants international marketing rights to NFL teams in countries outside the United States. This program aims to build fandom, create brand opportunities, and realize commercial potential. The Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Jacksonville Jaguars hold international marketing rights in the United Kingdom, while the Carolina Panthers have those rights in Germany.
Despite no scheduled international game in Mexico in 2024 due to Estadio Azteca renovations, the NFL has confirmed that future international games will return once the renovations are complete.
With the NFL expanding its schedule in 2021, up to four teams from each conference are eligible for a ninth regular-season home game. As part of this new format, these teams are designated to play a neutral-site international game each year.
Looking ahead, the NFL clubs recently voted to increase the league-operated international game inventory from four to up to eight games per season, starting in 2025. This expansion will enable the league to schedule up to eight regular-season games internationally. The announcement of new markets and host cities/stadiums for future seasons will be made later.
The team owners also expressed their enthusiasm for participating in the international games. Shad Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, acknowledged the strong tradition the team has established in London and the deep relationship they have built with fans and businesses in the United Kingdom. George H. McCaskey, chairman of the Chicago Bears, emphasized the team’s excitement in bringing their storied franchise and tradition to London in 2024. Additionally, Mark Wilf, owner and president of the Minnesota Vikings, highlighted the international support the team has received in their previous London games and their focus on creating a memorable experience for partners and fans. David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers, recognized the special connection the game in Munich holds for the Panthers and their community due to the presence of over 200 German-owned companies in the Charlotte area.
In summary, the NFL has announced that the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Carolina Panthers will be playing in international games in London and Munich during the 2024 regular season. The games will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium in London, as well as Allianz Arena in Munich. These matchups are part of the NFL’s commitment to expanding its global presence and engaging with fans around the world. The league also has plans to hold its first-ever regular-season game in South America in 2024.