The National Football League today announced the designated teams that will play in the 2024 International Games in London and Munich.
The Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars will each play international games in London during the 2024 regular season, while the Carolina Panthers travel to Munich. Each team's opponent, dates and kick-off times will be announced when the 2024 schedule is released in the spring.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – the only purpose-built NFL stadium outside the US – will host games from both the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, while the Jacksonville Jaguars will return to Wembley Stadium as part of their multi-year commitment to play a game will be in the UK, which will be their twelfth game in the capital.
Munich, Germany will once again host a regular season game, with the Carolina Panthers playing at the Allianz Arena – home of FC Bayern Munich. The NFL's first international regular season game in Germany was played on November 13, 2022 at the Allianz Arena when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21:16.
Last month, the NFL announced it would play a regular season game in São Paulo, Brazil (Corinthians Arena) in 2024 – the first ever in South America. The designated team for this historic first game in Brazil will be named in the coming months ahead of the announcement of the 2024 NFL schedule.
“Bringing our game to more fans around the world is a top priority for the league and its 32 teams, and we look forward to returning to London and Munich in 2024,” said Peter O'Reilly, Executive Vice President, Club business, league events and international events in the NFL. “Whether it's tackle or flag football, the international passion for the game and the NFL continues to grow, and having our teams and their world-class athletes play games and interact with fans around the world is an important part of becoming one global sport.”
All four designated teams, which play in the UK and Germany, are part of the NFL's Global Markets Program, which awards international marketing rights to NFL teams in countries outside the US to build fan bases and realize brand and commercial opportunities. The Bears, Vikings and Jaguars have international marketing rights in the UK, while the Panthers have these rights in Germany.
While there will be no international match in Mexico in 2024 due to renovations at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the league has confirmed that future international matches will resume once they are complete.
With the expansion of the NFL schedule in 2021, up to four of the conference's teams eligible for a ninth regular-season home game are now designated to play an international game at a neutral site each year.
Following a recent vote by NFL clubs to increase the league's international schedule of games from four (4) to up to eight (8) games per season, the NFL will have the right to schedule up to eight regular season games per season beginning in 2025 international. New markets and venues/stadiums for future seasons will be announced at a later date.
“We are certainly grateful to the thousands of fans in the UK, Ireland and across Europe who have made the Jaguars their NFL team since our first home game in London in 2013,” said Shad Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars . “We have now played 11 games in London, built strong relationships with fans and businesses, introduced American football to young people taking part in our community programs across the UK, and raised funds and supported causes that touch the lives of many people .” . All in all, we have established a strong Jaguars tradition in London that our fans and supporters celebrate every day of the year. This tradition will continue next season when the Jaguars return to London and we can’t wait to see everyone again at Wembley Stadium, our second home.”
“Every Chicago Bears game is rich in tradition, culture and passion. And each year we look forward to welcoming fans game by game to experience that richness,” said Chicago Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey. “This year we will bring our storied franchise and tradition back to London and share internationally what our local fans experience at every game. We are excited to join the many NFL teams expanding internationally to play a game in London during our 2024 season.”
“We are honored to once again represent the NFL in its efforts to make the game of football more accessible worldwide,” said Mark Wilf, Owner/President of the Minnesota Vikings. “We have seen tremendous international support for the Vikings in our last three games in London and in our successful bid to establish the UK as a global market. Our focus will be on winning in London for the fourth year in a row and repeating that. “We are enjoying the incredible matchday atmosphere in Minnesota and creating an unforgettable experience for our partners and fans.”
“It is an honor for the Carolina Panthers to play in Munich in 2024,” said David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers. “This game means more to us than just playing internationally. With more than 200 German companies in the Charlotte area, this opportunity provides a special connection for the Panthers and our community. We look forward to deepening our relationships with our German fans and engaging with our partners and continuing to expand our brand globally.”