Brazil to Host Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of 2024 NFL Regular Season
Hosted in São Paulo, it will be the first regular season game in South America
Posted On: April 10, 2024 By :The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers will clash when the NFL goes to São Paulo, Brazil, in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season on September 6, 2024 — the first time the NFL has played a game on Friday night of the opening weekend since 1970.
The game will take place at Corinthians Arena, home to Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians. The stadium was an official venue for both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Summer Games.
“As global growth continues to be a critical and strategic priority for the NFL and its 32 clubs, we are thrilled to have the Green Bay Packers playing against the Philadelphia Eagles in our first-ever game in South America,” said Managing Director and Head of NFL International Gerrit Meier. “With over 35 million passionate fans in Brazil, the Friday night 2024 regular season opener in São Paulo will bring an incredible energy – marking a historic moment for our sport internationally.”
The Brazil game will be one of five played as part of the 2024 NFL International Games, with the designated teams for the Europe slate already announced. With the game in South America, the NFL will have played a game (preseason or regular season) in five of the seven continents around the world.
“In addition to being one of the biggest franchises in the history of the NFL, the Green Bay Packers are one of the most popular clubs here in Brazil,” said Gustavo Pires, president of São Paulo Turismo. “We are delighted to provide these fans the opportunity to see their favorite team live in São Paulo.”
Peacock (NBCUniversal) will exclusively stream the Week 1 game from Brazil. The game will also be available on free, over-the-air broadcast television in the local markets of the competing teams as well as on mobile devices with NFL Plus.
“We’re looking forward to being a part of this historic matchup against the Eagles in São Paulo,” said Packers President/Chief Executive Officer Mark Murphy. “We’re excited to play in front of our devoted fans in Brazil and help build upon the international popularity of the NFL and the Packers. We had a great experience playing internationally for the first time a couple of years ago and we’re proud to be part of the league’s continued global growth.”
“The Eagles organization is honored to have been selected to play in the first-ever National Football League game in South America,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles chairman and chief executive officer. “With the global growth of our sport being a top priority to our league, we embrace the opportunity to grow our fanbase around the world and bring Eagles football to the 38 million sports fans in Brazil. As one of the world’s most culturally diverse nations, Brazil is an international melting pot, and we look forward to experiencing its warm, vibrant and welcoming environment later this year.”
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London will host games featuring both the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings, while the Jacksonville Jaguars will return to Wembley Stadium. Munich will again host a regular season game with the Carolina Panthers set to play in Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich.
Following the expansion of the NFL schedule in 2021, up to four of the teams from the conference whose teams are eligible for a ninth regular-season home game were designated to play a neutral-site international game each year. In 2023, NFL clubs voted to increase league-operated international game inventory to up to eight games a season beginning in 2025.
“This landmark first international game in South America demonstrates the ongoing expansion of our global footprint,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Playing on Friday night of Week 1 is a unique way to highlight our international growth and ambitions.”
Posted in: Latest News, Sports Organizations