Over the span through the 2025 season, the NFL staged 62 international games, filling stadiums in London, Mexico City, Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Sao Paulo, Dublin, and Madrid. Looking ahead to 2026, the schedule will feature a record nine overseas games, including a high-profile start on Thursday, Sept. 10, when the Los Angeles Rams meet the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. The second international game of the season is slated for primetime on a major streaming platform, signaling the league’s commitment to global accessibility.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has floated an ambitious vision: eventually hosting 16 international games each season, effectively weaving overseas road trips into the fabric of the league’s calendar. This ongoing push has produced numerous memorable moments that resonated with fans and showcased the global appeal of American football.
Some international matchups quickly became iconic, either because they were firsts that signaled a new era or because they delivered dramatic finishes, star-powered performances, or extraordinary atmospheres in unfamiliar venues. Here are some standout entries from the international series era:
9. Arizona Cardinals 31, San Francisco 49ers 14
– October 2, 2005, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
– This game occurred before the International Series officially began but helped catalyze the broader international push. A crowd of 103,467 watched Arizona erase an early 14-point deficit and take control, aided by a standout performance from Josh McCown and a prolific kicking day from Neil Rackers. The attendance set a then-record for regular-season NFL games outside the United States, underscoring Mexico City’s immense football appetite and helping pave the way for future international games.
8. Oakland Raiders 27, Houston Texans 20
– November 21, 2016, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
– A prime-time Monday night affair drew 76,473 fans. The Raiders staged a late rally, aided by the stadium’s high altitude, which presented an added challenge. The game also featured atmosphere-heavy moments that highlighted the growing comfort with hosting regular-season games abroad.
7. Kansas City Chiefs 21, Miami Dolphins 14
– November 5, 2023, Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany
– Frankfurt’s debut as an NFL host city featured star power, including Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs jumped ahead early and rolled to victory, while the home crowd fueled a record-setting viewership for a German international game on television.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21, Seattle Seahawks 16
– November 13, 2022, Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
– Tom Brady led the Buccaneers to victory in Germany’s first regular-season NFL game. The crowd, the storyline of Brady’s presence, and a late defensive stand defined the night, marking a milestone for the league’s European expansion.
5. New York Giants 13, Miami Dolphins 10
– October 28, 2007, Wembley Stadium, London
– This was the first official International Series game, featuring a rain-soaked field and a defensive battle that produced a tight scoreline. The atmosphere and the sellout crowd signaled London’s potential as a regular home for NFL action and helped kickstart a long-running international slate.
4. Philadelphia Eagles 34, Green Bay Packers 29
– September 6, 2024, Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil
– The NFL’s South American debut delivered high-scoring excitement in front of a sellout crowd. Star performances included Saquon Barkley, who contributed multiple touchdowns, and a notable connection between Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. The game also marked the league’s first Week 1 Friday-night opener since 1970, emphasizing the growing flexibility of the schedule to reach new markets.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Minnesota Vikings 21
– September 28, 2025, Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
– Ireland’s first-ever NFL game produced a dramatic finish as Pittsburgh edged Minnesota in front of a capacity crowd. The game featured standout performances and a notable moment when Aaron Rodgers connected on a key play and a late defensive stand preserved the win for the Steelers. The Rooney family’s ties to Ireland added historical resonance to the event, underscoring the country’s growing connection to the league.
2. New Orleans Saints 37, San Diego Chargers 32
– October 26, 2008, Wembley Stadium, London
– This shootout remains one of the defining moments of the early international era, with a combined 680 passing yards and six touchdowns. Despite a late surge by the Chargers, New Orleans held on, aided by a crucial interception and a deliberate safety at the end to seal a high-scoring victory. The game demonstrated London’s capacity to host a high-caliber NFL matchup and remains a memorable finish in the series’ history.
1. Detroit Lions 22, Atlanta Falcons 21
– October 26, 2014, Wembley Stadium, London
– Often cited as the gold standard for International Series games, this one featured a dramatic second-half comeback by Detroit. Trailing 21-0 at halftime, the Lions rallied behind a standout performance from Matthew Stafford, who connected on pivotal plays and set franchise records. The final minute brought extraordinary drama, with a renewed chance to win from field-goal range culminating in a successful 48-yard kick as time expired. The sellout crowd of 83,532 witnessed a defining moment in international NFL history, combining suspense, a record-setting quarterback performance, and a walk-off finish.
As the league continues to broaden its international footprint, these games have not only provided memorable moments but also reinforced the global enthusiasm for American football. The ongoing expansion aims to bring competitive NFL action to fans who may not have regular access to the sport, while challenging teams to perform at a high level on foreign soil.
