- The NFL will play seven regular-season games outside the U.S. in 2025, including first-time games in Spain and Ireland.
- A new kickoff rule proposal aims to double the percentage of kickoffs returned by moving touchbacks to the 35-yard line.
- The dynamic kickoff rule, introduced in 2024, is recommended to become permanent after reducing injuries and increasing returns.
NFL International Expansion in 2025
The NFL continues its global outreach with seven regular-season games scheduled outside the United States in 2025. This includes three games in London, with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. The season opener will be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the second consecutive year, featuring the Los Angeles Chargers at Arena Corinthians. Germany will host its fourth NFL game, this time in Berlin at Olympiastadion, with the Indianapolis Colts as the home team. Spain and Ireland will debut as NFL hosts, with the Miami Dolphins playing at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Dublin. The league’s international ambitions show no signs of slowing, with plans for a game in Melbourne, Australia, in 2026.
Kickoff Rule Changes
The NFL Competition Committee has proposed moving the touchback point from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line to encourage more kickoff returns. This change is expected to double the return rate from 33% in 2024 to 60-70% in 2025. The dynamic kickoff rule, introduced in 2024 as a one-year experiment, successfully reduced injuries while increasing returns. The committee now recommends making this rule permanent. The proposal also includes allowing teams to attempt onside kicks at any point when trailing, rather than only in the fourth quarter.
Safety and Action on the Field
The NFL’s focus on reducing injuries during kickoffs has been successful, with data from 2024 showing injury rates comparable to other plays. The proposed rule changes aim to maintain this safety while increasing the excitement of kickoffs. By incentivizing shorter kicks and more returns, the league hopes to make kickoffs as action-packed as other plays. The Competition Committee’s recommendations will be voted on by team owners at the league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida.
Sources: NFL Communications, Competition Committee Reports, and league executives.