The 2026 NFL season is months away, but bits and pieces of the 2026 NFL schedule are starting to get announced ahead of Thursday evening’s complete reveal.
On Wednesday, the NFL announced the nine international games that will be played next season in Australia, Brazil, England, France, Spain, Germany, and Mexico. This elicited a strong reaction from some in the NFL world, who feel that the international series has expanded too much.
NFL World Frustrated With 9-Game International Series
The NFL wants to continue its global expansion and grow the sport in other countries. As a result, this year’s international series will feature nine games across seven countries and four continents.
There will now be an international series game in nine of the first 11 weeks of the season. Some in the NFL world believe this is too much.
“We don’t need this many international games,” Meek Phil from Barstool Sports argued.
“Can we stop with these? Who is asking for all of these international games?” another user added.
Can we stop with these? Who is asking for all of these International games?
— Cooper Kanthak (@cooperkanthak) May 13, 2026
Nine games is, by far, the most in NFL history.
“International game slate is nearing the realm of traveling circus as opposed occasional showcase,” added NFL legend J.J. Watt.
International game slate is nearing the realm of traveling circus as opposed occasional showcase.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 13, 2026
The international games are difficult logistically, with certain teams at a disadvantage due to the travel. However, some pointed out that it’s unfair to take away home games from NFL teams, particularly when the public paid for the stadium.
“No NFL team/NFL city with a publicly funded stadium should lose home games to an international site,” one user wrote. “Roger Goodell is taking money out of local business owners pockets and the chance for people to see games played in stadiums they paid for.”
No NFL team/NFL city with a publicly funded stadium should lose home games to an international site. Roger Goodell is taking money out of local business owners pockets and the chance for people to see games played in stadiums they paid for
— El Big Gronkowski (@eLBigGronkowski) May 13, 2026
When a team loses a home game, that also negatively affects the staff who work at the stadium on gamedays since they will lose a day’s pay.
From the sheer volume of international games to the downsides for the teams involved, many fans and analysts seem fed up with the expansion of the international series.
“Thanks NFL! Thank you for the international games nobody asked for,” one user wrote.
Thanks NFL! Thank you for the international games nobody asked for
— Mike George (@MichaelGeo2213) May 13, 2026
Commissioner Roger Goodell has been a driving force behind the NFL’s global expansion, and he has talked about taking things a step further and eventually having a franchise located overseas.
It remains to be seen if this will actually happen in the near future, but it’s clear that Goodell and Co. are all in on the league’s international growth.
