The Philadelphia Eagles will play their first game of the 2024 NFL season in São Paulo, Brazil. League Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the decision at his annual press conference on Monday.
The Brazil game will take place on Friday, Sept. 6. Philadelphia’s visit to South America will mark the first time since 1970 that an NFL club has opened its season on a Friday.
The game will be the first NFL match-up staged in Brazil. The NFL’s international series has already taken teams to England, Germany and Mexico.
“This landmark first international game in South America demonstrates the ongoing expansion of our global footprint,” Goodell said in a press release. “Playing on Friday night of Week 1 is a unique way to highlight our international growth and ambitions.”
The commissioner first confirmed plans to bring the NFL to Brazil at the owners’ meeting in December. The game will be played at Corinthians Arena, which seats up to 47,000 fans.
“The league’s decision to play the game in the first week of the NFL 2024 season is a true testament to their confidence in our work as host city,” São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes said. “Having this historic spectacle on the eve of Independence Day and driving a great economic impact and job creation for São Paulo, will spotlight our city as a globally relevant destination for the world’s most exciting sport and entertainment events.”
The Eagles are the fifth team designated for an international game in 2024. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears are slated to play in London. The Carolina Panthers will travel to Munich.
“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,” said Jeffery Lurie, the president and CEO of the Eagles.. “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.”
Last year, the NFL identified Brazil and Spain as two countries that could host league games in the future. With a visit to Brazil set for 2024, Spain could host its first regular season game during the 2025 season.
“The good news is both are really viable and interested in hosting games,” the league’s Executive Vice President Peter O’Reilly told NFL.com in December.. “Pending having the opportunity to play in Madrid and Brazil in the future, we would be excited to do that. The reason we went first with Brazil really ties to going to a new continent for the first time, into South America for the first time for the regular season.”
NFL officials have not specified who the Eagles will face in Brazil. The full NFL schedule will be released this spring.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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