NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has raised the “possibility” of Ireland soon hosting league matches as part of an expanded eight-game international schedule.
Goodell did not say whether the intention was to play a match in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, although Dublin is considered the likely next host.
Speaking ahead of the fifth and final game of this season’s international schedule between the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants in Munich, Germany, on Sunday, Goodell said: “We will definitely come back to the UK. And we’re also looking at the possibility of another match in the UK region, Ireland maybe? It’s a possibility.
“And we will definitely be back here in Germany, so if that makes a total of eight [matchs internationaux]that’s what we’re aiming for. »
Goodell said on October 8 that he had “no doubt” that Ireland would host a match soon. He cited Rio de Janeiro as a likely new host and said the Jaguars were considering increasing the number of games played in London during renovations to their stadium in Jacksonville.
He added that the league wanted to move to eight international matches per season “quickly”. Spain will host its first match at Real Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium in 2025.
“I have no doubt that we will play in Ireland. I don’t know if it’ll be next year, but it’s coming soon,” Goodell said at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the Jaguars’ 25-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
London has hosted regular season matches since 2007, Germany since 2022 and Brazil hosted its first match this season.
NFL owners voted in December to allow the league to hold eight international games each season, and Goodell said earlier this year that he hoped to reach 16 international games per season in the future.
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