The opening of the 2024 NFL season will be highlighted by four nights of games in just five days, including the first game ever to be played in Brazil. During his annual pre-Super Bowl address in Las Vegas on Monday night, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the Philadelphia Eagles will host an opponent in Sao Paulo on Friday, September 6. This historic game will take place at the Corinthians Arena, which has a seating capacity of 49,205. Located on the east coast of Brazil, Sao Paulo is a bustling city with a population of over 12 million. The Eagles’ game in Brazil will mark the first time in NFL history that a Friday night game is played on the opening weekend since 1970. The kickoff time is yet to be determined, but it will be two hours ahead of Eastern Time in the United States.
“We’re taking a unique and unprecedented approach by scheduling this game on our kick-off weekend,” stated Goodell during his address. “We are thrilled about the opportunity to reach a global audience and expand our fan base beyond the United States.”
Following the game in Brazil, the NFL season will continue with games on Thursday, September 5, and throughout the weekend. Goodell expressed great enthusiasm about the league’s growth on a global scale and emphasized the commitment of NFL ownership to playing more games outside of the United States.
Since 2007, the NFL has been hosting games in London and last season, it expanded its international presence with games in Frankfurt, Germany. Goodell expressed excitement about the reaction from fans and media partners alike, recognizing the tremendous opportunity that playing games abroad presents for the league.
The Corinthians Arena, the venue for the historic game in Brazil, is the home of the Corinthians soccer team. It has previously hosted major international events such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. Jeffrey Lurie, CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles, expressed his honor and excitement about being chosen to participate in the first-ever NFL game in South America. Lurie acknowledged the potential to grow the Eagles’ fan base and bring the excitement of Eagles football to the 38 million sports fans in Brazil.