Goodell expects Japan’s first regular-season NFL game in 2027 or 2028
The NFL commissioner identified Tokyo as a potential host and said the league believes it can manage travel without negatively affecting teams.
Japan is expected to hold its first NFL regular-season game in 2027 or 2028, according to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Tokyo is among the cities being considered, he said, without confirming it as the venue for that game.
Goodell discussed the league’s overseas ambitions with Gregg Rosenthal and Jourdan Rodrigue on NFL Daily. He was speaking from Paris, where preparations were underway for the NFL’s first game in the city.
Pointing to Australia’s Week 1 game, Goodell said the event demonstrated the NFL’s ability to play worldwide. He cited 100,000 spectators attending a Friday game at 10:30 in the morning and said the experience had opened further opportunities.
Goodell said the NFL believes travel can be managed without adverse effects on teams. The league will keep concentrating on its priority markets while considering additional cities, he said, noting that Rio replaced São Paulo as a destination in 2026.
