NFL’s landmark Brazil game to serve as season-opener for Eagles

The NFL has announced that its first-ever regular-season game in Brazil will feature the Philadelphia Eagles as the designated team.

The Eagles will play at São Paulo’s Neo Química Arena on September 6, with the game to mark the first time the NFL has played a game on Friday night of its opening weekend in over 50 years.

Neo Química Arena, also known as the Corinthians Arena, is home to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A football team Corinthians. It has a capacity of around 49,000 and was used during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

The NFL announced plans for the São Paulo game in December after commissioner Roger Goodell had previously confirmed that the league would stage a regular-season fixture in a new overseas market in 2024.

The Eagles’ opponent, along with the kickoff time, will be announced closer to when the 2024 NFL schedule is revealed in the spring.

“This landmark first international game in South America demonstrates the ongoing expansion of our global footprint,” said Goodell. “Playing on Friday night of Week 1 is a unique way to highlight our international growth and ambitions.”

Jeffrey Lurie, chairman and chief executive of the Eagles, added: “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.

“As one of the world’s most culturally diverse nations, Brazil is an international melting pot, and we look forward to experiencing its warm, vibrant and welcoming environment later this year.”

Including the game in São Paulo, five regular-season fixtures will be played as part of the 2024 NFL International Games. The designated teams for the Europe slate have already been announced, with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to host games featuring the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, Wembley welcoming the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Munich hosting the Carolina Panthers.

Last year, NFL teams voted to increase league-operated international game inventory from four to eight games per season starting from 2025. The eight games do not include club-operated games, such as the Jaguars hosting a fixture at Wembley.

The league has also staged games at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City but the venue is currently undergoing renovation work ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.