List of National Football League games played outside the United States


The National Football League has played numerous games outside of the United States. All of the league's current and former teams have been based in the contiguous United States, with only the Pro Bowl played in a non-contiguous U.S. state.

Canadian Football League interleague games

Six games held in Canada between 1950 and 1961 pitted NFL teams against Canadian Football League teams with the NFL team winning all six. These games were a hybrid of American and Canadian football. Ottawa hosted the first two games, while Toronto hosted three of the remaining four and Montreal held one; the first game ever held in Toronto featuring an NFL team was in August 1959 and inaugurated the city's Exhibition Stadium. One game was played between the AFL's Buffalo Bills and CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats in August 1961, with Hamilton winning 38–21. There was also a game in 1960 that pitted the Chicago Bears against the New York Giants played in Toronto; this was in return for a 1958 CFL matchup that was played in Philadelphia.
The Western Interprovincial Football Union was never involved in interleague play with the NFL, although its teams occasionally played members of other rival U.S. leagues in the circuit's early years. At the time, the Western teams were still struggling to gain recognition within Canada as the Eastern Conference's competitive equal. A more practical factor inhibiting Western interleague play with the NFL was the prohibitive amount of time it would have taken to travel by rail from an NFL city to Western Canada for an exhibition game. Also, by the 1950s the West was already playing its regular season in August while the Eastern Conference still started its season around the same time as the NFL.

Global Cup

In the summer of 1983 an English entrepreneur named John Marshall hired Wembley Stadium and brought the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Cardinals over to play a pre-season exhibition game called The Global Cup. Just over 30,000 fans turned out that day to witness the game. In 1984, Marshall invited the United States Football League's Tampa Bay Bandits and Philadelphia Stars to play a post season exhibition game in July.

American Bowl

The American Bowl was a series of NFL pre-season exhibition games that were held at sites outside the United States between 1986 and 2005. The league started the American Bowl series in 1986 primarily to promote American football in other countries. The American Bowl was a fifth pre-season game, played the same weekend as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, and did not take away a game from the participating teams' pre-season schedules. At least one American Bowl game was played annually from 1986 to 2003. As many as four were played per year in the early 1990s. There was no American Bowl game played in 2004. The last American Bowl was held in 2005. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell cited the league's new international strategy in the abandonment of international pre-season games as well as the closure of NFL Europe, instead focusing on playing regular season games in foreign countries. There have been three international pre-season games during the American Bowl era that did not receive the American Bowl name because they were not arranged by the NFL but, rather, the scheduled home team elected to play there.

China Bowl

The China Bowl was the name of a proposed NFL pre-season exhibition game that had been scheduled to take place in August 2007, but later postponed to August 2009 so that more focus could be placed on the start of the International Series, and ultimately canceled, between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at the National Stadium in Beijing. The originally scheduled China Bowl was to be played at Workers Stadium in Beijing, China, on August 8, 2007. The game was to kick off the one-year countdown before the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and would have been the first NFL-sanctioned game to take place in China.
In March 2019, NFL was reportedly discuss at owners meetings whether it will play a game in China in 2020 season. San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams were among the teams interested due to situating West Coast for less travel. It would take place prior to the start of the regular season for the rest of the league in order to make up for the intense travel and time difference. Suitable venue and air quality were other concerns.

Fútbol Americano

On October 2, 2005, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 31–14 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, under the name NFL Fútbol Americano. It was the first regular season NFL game held outside of the United States. The game drew the NFL's highest game attendance at the time with 103,467 spectators.

NFL International Series

Beginning with the 2007 season, the National Football League has hosted regular season American football games outside of the United States every year in a series known as the International Series. Wembley Stadium, in London, United Kingdom, was the first location to host the series, staging at least one game every year since the series began.
In October 2015 the league announced that a resolution had been passed approving continuing the International Series until 2025, and expanding it to include games in international cities outside the United Kingdom. The NFL has an agreement to play at least two games per year at Wembley until 2020, with the Jacksonville Jaguars relocating a home game there annually throughout the agreement. In addition, three to five games are scheduled to take place at England rugby's Twickenham Stadium between 2016 and 2018, while at least two games per year are planned to be played at the new stadium at Northumberland Development Project between 2018 and 2027 as part of an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur.
Additional markets under consideration included Mexico, Germany and Canada. On February 5, 2016, it was announced that the Oakland Raiders would host the Houston Texans on November 21, 2016, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico. On November 19, 2017, the Estadio Azteca hosted a regular season Sunday afternoon game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders and on November 18th, 2019, the Los Angeles Chargers were the designated home team against the Kansas City Chiefs in Mexico.

Bills Toronto Series

The Bills Toronto Series was an agreement between the Buffalo Bills and Rogers Communications to host a series of Bills National Football League games at the Rogers Centre in nearby Toronto, Ontario, Canada in an attempt by the team to broaden its fan base. The Bills Toronto Series was distinct from the NFL International Series because it is arranged by an individual team rather than the league.
The series was conceived by a group that included then Bills owner Ralph Wilson, Ted Rogers of Rogers Communications and Larry Tanenbaum of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. During the original five-year deal, which began with the 2008 season, the Bills played one regular season home game per year as well as a pre-season home game at Rogers Centre in 2008 and 2010, for a total of seven games in Toronto. A pre-season game originally planned for 2012 was cancelled, as home games for the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts and a Bruce Springsteen concert conflicted with the NFL pre-season. In 2013, the series was renewed for five more years through 2017. The new deal featured one regular season game each year plus a pre-season game in 2015. However, following the first contest in 2013 it was announced that Rogers and the Bills had postponed the series for a year, and several months later, following the sale of the Bills to new ownership, the parties reached an agreement to cancel the Toronto Series permanently.

Impact on teams

Teams that have had the scheduling disadvantage of giving up a home game to participate in the series, resulting in seven home games, eight away games and one neutral site game, have seen a significant disparity in their success relative to the designated visitors, who end up with eight home games, seven away games and one neutral site game. For the 18 regular season games played outside the United States through 2015, 20 of the 21 designated home teams failed to reach the playoffs while 11 of the 21 designated visitors reached the postseason that year. In 2015, the Kansas City Chiefs became the first designated home team to go on to reach the playoffs.

List of games

Below is a list of games played outside the United States by teams from the NFL, and its precursor leagues the American Football League of 1926, All-America Football Conference, and American Football League from which the NFL absorbed teams.
;Legend
SeasonDateSeriesTypeWinning/Tied TeamScoreLosing/Tied TeamStadiumCityCountryRef-----------
SeasonDateSeriesTypeWinning/Tied TeamScoreLosing/Tied TeamStadiumCityCountryRef1926November 8–REGNew York Yankees 28–0Los Angeles Wildcats Maple Leaf StadiumToronto
1948August 19CFLINTBrooklyn Dodgers 27–1Montreal Alouettes Delorimier StadiumMontreal-----------
1950August 12CFLINTNew York Giants27–6Ottawa Rough Riders Lansdowne ParkOttawa-----------
1951August 11CFLINTNew York Giants41–18Ottawa Rough Riders Lansdowne ParkOttawa-----------
1959August 5CFLINTChicago Cardinals55–26Toronto Argonauts Exhibition StadiumToronto-----------
1960August 3CFLINTPittsburgh Steelers43–16Toronto Argonauts Exhibition StadiumToronto-----------
1960August 15–EXHChicago Bears16–7New York GiantsVarsity StadiumToronto-----------
1960August 29–EXHDallas CowboysCancelledNew York GiantsDelorimier StadiumMontreal-----------
1961August 2CFLINTSt. Louis Cardinals36–7Toronto Argonauts Exhibition StadiumToronto-----------
1961August 5CFLINTChicago Bears34–16Montreal Alouettes Molson StadiumMontreal-----------
1961August 8CFLINTHamilton Tiger-Cats 38–21Buffalo Bills Civic StadiumHamilton-----------
1968August 11–EXHDetroit LionsCancelledPhiladelphia EaglesEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------
1969August 25–INTDetroit Lions22–9Boston Patriots Jarry ParkMontrealCanada-----------
1969September 11–EXHPittsburgh Steelers17–13New York GiantsJarry ParkMontrealCanada-----------
1976August 16MSBEXHSt. Louis Cardinals20–10San Diego ChargersKorakuen StadiumTokyoJapan-----------
1978August 5–EXHNew Orleans Saints14–7Philadelphia EaglesEstadio Olímpico de la Ciudad de los DeportesMexico City-----------
1983August 6GCEXHMinnesota Vikings28–10St. Louis CardinalsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
1986August 3ABEXHChicago Bears17–6Dallas CowboysWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
1987August 9ABEXHLos Angeles Rams28–27Denver BroncosWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
1988July 31ABEXHMiami Dolphins27–21San Francisco 49ersWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
1988August 14VAFCEXHMinnesota Vikings28–21Chicago BearsUllevi StadiumGöteborg-----------
1988August 18MCEXHNew York Jets11–7Cleveland BrownsOlympic StadiumMontrealCanada-----------
1988August 27–EXHTampa Bay BuccaneersCancelledBuffalo BillsExhibition StadiumTorontoCanada-----------
1989August 6ABEXHLos Angeles Rams16–13 San Francisco 49ersTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
1989August 6ABEXHPhiladelphia Eagles17–13Cleveland BrownsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
1990August 5ABEXHDenver Broncos10–7Seattle SeahawksTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
1990August 5ABEXHNew Orleans Saints17–10Los Angeles RaidersWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
1990August 9ABEXHPittsburgh Steelers30–14New England PatriotsOlympic StadiumMontrealCanada-----------
1990August 11ABEXHLos Angeles Rams19–3Kansas City ChiefsOlympiastadionWest Berlin-----------
1991July 28ABEXHBuffalo Bills17–13Philadelphia EaglesWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
1991August 3ABEXHSan Francisco 49ers21–7Chicago BearsOlympiastadionBerlinGermany-----------
1991August 4ABEXHMiami Dolphins19–17Los Angeles RaidersTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
1992August 2ABEXHHouston Oilers34–23Dallas CowboysTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
1992August 15ABEXHMiami Dolphins31–27Denver BroncosOlympiastadionBerlinGermany-----------
1992August 16ABEXHSan Francisco 49ers17–15Washington RedskinsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
1993August 1ABEXHNew Orleans Saints28–16Philadelphia EaglesTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
1993August 1ABEXHSan Francisco 49ers21–14Pittsburgh SteelersEstadi OlímpicBarcelonaSpain-----------
1993August 7ABEXHMinnesota Vikings20–6Buffalo BillsOlympiastadionBerlinGermany-----------
1993August 8ABEXHDallas Cowboys13–13 Detroit LionsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
1993August 14–EXHCleveland Browns12–9New England PatriotsSkyDomeTorontoCanada-----------
1994July 31ABEXHLos Angeles Raiders25–22 Denver BroncosEstadi OlímpicBarcelonaSpain-----------
1994August 7ABEXHMinnesota Vikings17–9Kansas City ChiefsTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
1994August 13ABEXHNew York Giants28–20San Diego ChargersOlympiastadionBerlinGermany-----------
1994August 15ABEXHHouston Oilers6–0Dallas CowboysEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------
1995August 6ABEXHDenver Broncos24–10San Francisco 49ersTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
1995August 12ABEXHBuffalo Bills9–7Dallas CowboysSkyDomeTorontoCanada-----------
1996July 28ABEXHSan Diego Chargers20–10Pittsburgh SteelersTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
1996August 5ABEXHKansas City Chiefs32–6Dallas CowboysEstadio UniversitarioMonterrey-----------
1997July 27ABEXHPittsburgh Steelers30–17Chicago BearsCroke ParkDublin-----------
1997August 4ABEXHMiami Dolphins38–19Denver BroncosEstadio Guillermo CañedoMexico City-----------
1997August 16ABEXHGreen Bay Packers35–3Buffalo BillsSkyDomeTorontoCanada-----------
1998August 2ABEXHGreen Bay Packers27–24 Kansas City ChiefsTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
1998August 15ABEXHSan Francisco 49ers24–21Seattle SeahawksBC Place StadiumVancouverCanada-----------
1998August 17ABEXHNew England Patriots21–3Dallas CowboysEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------
1999August 8ABEXHDenver Broncos20–17San Diego ChargersStadium AustraliaSydneyAustralia-----------
2000August 6ABEXHAtlanta Falcons20–9Dallas CowboysTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
2000August 19ABEXHIndianapolis Colts24–23Pittsburgh SteelersEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------
2001August 27ABEXHDallas Cowboys21–6Oakland RaidersEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------
2002August 3ABEXHWashington Redskins38–7San Francisco 49ersOsaka DomeOsakaJapan-----------
2003August 2ABEXHTampa Bay Buccaneers30–14New York JetsTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
2005August 6ABEXHAtlanta Falcons27–21Indianapolis ColtsTokyo DomeTokyoJapan-----------
2005October 2FAREGArizona Cardinals31–14San Francisco 49ersEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------
2007August 8CBEXHSeattle SeahawksCancelledNew England PatriotsWorkers' StadiumBeijingChina-----------
2007October 28ISREGNew York Giants13–10Miami DolphinsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2008August 14BTSEXHBuffalo Bills24–21Pittsburgh SteelersRogers CentreTorontoCanada-----------
2008October 26ISREGNew Orleans Saints37–32San Diego ChargersWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2008December 7BTSREGMiami Dolphins16–3Buffalo BillsRogers CentreTorontoCanada-----------
2009October 25ISREGNew England Patriots35–7Tampa Bay BuccaneersWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2009December 3BTSREGNew York Jets19–13Buffalo BillsRogers CentreTorontoCanada-----------
2010August 19BTSEXHBuffalo Bills34–21Indianapolis ColtsRogers CentreTorontoCanada-----------
2010October 31ISREGSan Francisco 49ers24–16Denver BroncosWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2010November 7BTSREGChicago Bears22–19Buffalo BillsRogers CentreTorontoCanada-----------
2011October 23ISREGChicago Bears24–18Tampa Bay BuccaneersWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2011October 30BTSREGBuffalo Bills23–0Washington RedskinsRogers CentreTorontoCanada-----------
2012October 28ISREGNew England Patriots45–7St. Louis RamsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2012December 16BTSREGSeattle Seahawks50–17Buffalo BillsRogers CentreTorontoCanada-----------
2013September 29ISREGMinnesota Vikings34–27Pittsburgh SteelersWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2013October 27ISREGSan Francisco 49ers42–10Jacksonville JaguarsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2013December 1BTSREGAtlanta Falcons34–31 Buffalo BillsRogers CentreTorontoCanada-----------
2014September 28ISREGMiami Dolphins38–14Oakland RaidersWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2014October 26ISREGDetroit Lions22–21Atlanta FalconsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2014November 9ISREGDallas Cowboys31–17Jacksonville JaguarsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2015October 4ISREGNew York Jets27–14Miami DolphinsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2015October 25ISREGJacksonville Jaguars34–31Buffalo BillsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2015November 1ISREGKansas City Chiefs45–10Detroit LionsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2016October 2ISREGJacksonville Jaguars30–27Indianapolis ColtsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2016October 23ISREGNew York Giants17–10Los Angeles RamsTwickenham StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2016October 30ISREGWashington Redskins27–27 Cincinnati BengalsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2016November 21ISREGOakland Raiders27–20Houston TexansEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------
2017September 24ISREGJacksonville Jaguars44–7Baltimore RavensWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2017October 1ISREGNew Orleans Saints20–0Miami DolphinsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2017October 22ISREGLos Angeles Rams33–0Arizona CardinalsTwickenham StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2017October 29ISREGMinnesota Vikings33–16Cleveland BrownsTwickenham StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2017November 19ISREGNew England Patriots33–8Oakland RaidersEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------
2018October 14ISREGSeattle Seahawks27–3Oakland RaidersWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2018October 21ISREGLos Angeles Chargers20–19Tennessee TitansWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2018October 28ISREGPhiladelphia Eagles24–18Jacksonville JaguarsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2018November 19ISREGLos Angeles RamsRelocated to LAKansas City ChiefsEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------
2019August 23−EXHGreen Bay Packers21–22Oakland RaidersInvestors Group FieldWinnipegCanada-----------
2019October 6ISREGOakland Raiders24-21Chicago BearsTottenham Hotspur StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2019October 13ISREGCarolina Panthers37-26Tampa Bay BuccaneersTottenham Hotspur StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2019October 27ISREGCincinnati Bengals10-24Los Angeles RamsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2019November 3ISREGHouston Texans26-3Jacksonville JaguarsWembley StadiumLondonUnited Kingdom-----------
2019November 18ISREGKansas City Chiefs24-17Los Angeles ChargersEstadio AztecaMexico City-----------

Number of games by city

;Notes