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.
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick runs against the Colts during a preseason game at Tokyo Dome in August 2005. | REUTERS
REUTERS
Aug 30, 2026
London – 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 league’s 2026 regular season, which begins on Sept. 10, will feature a record nine international games across seven countries, up from seven the previous year.
“Japan is a market of interest at the moment,” Gosper said. “There is a good following, good participation in that market as well ... and a lot of sporting fans and an affinity with American sports like baseball and so on.”
The former CEO of World Rugby, however, did allude to a potential limitation with scoring a touchdown in some Asian markets.
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