The Philadelphia Eagles were selected by the National Football League (NFL) to play their historic first regular-season game in South America, the league announced in a ground-breaking announcement on Monday.
September 6, 2024, is the scheduled date of the much awaited match in the prestigious Corinthians Arena located in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Eagles were ceremoniously revealed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, a symbol of the league’s global ambitions, as the team tasked with advancing the American football legacy. The choice is indicative of the NFL’s determination to attract a broad international audience and extend its impact beyond conventional bounds.
Commissioner Goodell emphasized, “This historic first international game in South America demonstrates the ongoing expansion of our global footprint.” “One special method to highlight the first week is to play on Friday night.”
In a calculated attempt to appeal to a wider international audience, the game will take place on a Friday night during the first week of play, departing from tradition. This deviation from the norm, which hasn’t happened since 1970, highlights the league’s commitment to innovation and its goal of attracting a growing number of global fans.
The NFL’s selection was welcomed with gratitude by Sao Paulo, the city designated as the honorary host. “The league’s decision… is a true testament to their confidence in our work as the host city,” Mayor Ricardo Nunes said, praising the decision. The approaching football extravaganza is enhanced with a touch of grandeur by the Corinthians Arena, which has a rich history as a FIFA World Cup location in 2014.
Eagles CEO and chairman Jeffrey Lurie reiterated the feelings of gratitude and expressed the team’s excitement at being chosen. Lurie stated, “With the global growth of our sport being a top priority to our league, we embrace the opportunity to grow our fan base around the world and bring Eagles football to the 38 million sports fans in Brazil.”
An important step forward has been taken in the NFL’s continuous internationalization efforts with its debut in South America. In addition to the Eagles, other teams scheduled to play overseas in 2024 are the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Carolina Panthers.
The Bears, Vikings, and Jaguars are enticing London, while the Panthers are getting ready for a game in Munich, a place that loves football.With just six days to go before September 6, Sao Paulo is expecting a flood of football fans who want to see history being made on its field. The game represents more than just a sporting event; it also represents the NFL’s dedication to using football, a worldwide language, to bridge cultural divides and bring people together.
