The NFL announced at its annual meeting that Italy will join the Global Markets Program in 2026, bringing the league's international presence to 22 markets. The New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns have been granted marketing rights in Italy, potentially setting the stage for future games in the country.
"The expansion highlights our continued focus on global growth," said NFL Managing Director Gerrit Meier. Meanwhile, the Raiders have expanded their international rights to include Canada, the UK, and UAE. As the NFL considers expanding to 18 regular-season games with 16 international matchups, teams with marketing rights like the Browns and Saints could be playing in Italy sooner than later.