In an exciting development for football fans around the world, the National Football League (NFL) revealed plans to extend its global reach by including a regular season game in São Paulo, Brazil. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's executive vice president of club business, international and league events.

The upcoming game in Brazil, set to take place in 2024, marks a significant milestone for the NFL, as it will be their first venture into South America for a regular season game. Although specific details such as the date, time, and teams involved have yet to be disclosed, O'Reilly affirmed the league's enthusiasm for expanding its international presence.

The decision to choose São Paulo over Madrid, Spain, showcases the NFL's commitment to exploring new markets around the world. However, O'Reilly explained that Madrid is still a viable option and could potentially host a game as early as 2025. Both cities have demonstrated strong interest in welcoming NFL games, paving the way for a future expansion into Europe and South America.

The NFL's vision for international growth became even more evident as team owners unanimously passed a resolution, obligating each team to play an international game at least once every four years. This resolution opens the door for up to eight international games to be scheduled starting from the 2025 season, excluding the Jacksonville Jaguars' existing agreement to play games at London's Wembley Stadium.

São Paulo, with its status as the most populous city in Brazil and a thriving commercial capital, stood as an ideal choice for the upcoming game. The city boasts the Corinthians Arena, a state-of-the-art stadium with a seating capacity of approximately 49,000 spectators, making it well-suited for an NFL event. This stadium has already hosted significant global sporting events such as matches from the 2014 FIFA Men's World Cup and soccer matches during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The NFL's interest in Brazil is further justified by the country's substantial fanbase, with an estimated 38 million NFL enthusiasts. Recent league events, such as Super Bowl watch parties and television broadcasts of playoff games, have only heightened the interest and engagement of Brazilian fans. The NFL has also leveraged its social media presence to attract younger supporters in Brazil.

Looking beyond the 2024 game in Brazil, the NFL intends to explore further opportunities in other international markets. With games already scheduled at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and a proposed game in Munich, Germany, the league aims to broaden its reach and appeal to fans worldwide. Talks of potential games in Madrid and other locations, including a potential game in Rio de Janeiro, are part of the league's strategic plan for international expansion.

As the NFL prepares for an expanded international inventory of games, it aims to capitalize on prime-time viewing windows as well as accommodating different time zones. São Paulo's time difference from the Eastern time zone makes it suitable for prime-time games or 4:25 p.m. ET doubleheaders during different parts of the season.

With the NFL's commitment to international growth and the enthusiasm shown by fans across the globe, the league's global presence is set to soar to new heights. The addition of São Paulo, Brazil, to the NFL's roster of international games reflects the league's dedication to continuously expanding its reach and showcasing American football to a global audience.