The NFL is looking to expand its international reach. Here are seven potential cities
When the Baltimore Ravens play the Tennessee Titans in London on Sunday, it will be the third game in the United Kingdom in as many weeks.
The Jacksonville Jaguars played the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills over the prior two weeks.
That will bring to 36 the number of games played in London since the first game there in 2007 between the Dolphins and Giants.
Two international games will remain, both in Germany, on Nov. 5 (Dolphins vs. Chiefs) and Nov. 12 (Colts vs. Patriots).
The NFL recently has said it might look to expand its international series to countries that have not yet hosted a regular-season NFL game, including Brazil and Spain.
Mexico (6) and Canada (6) are the only countries aside from the U.K. and Germany to host a regular-season NFL game.
Japan, Ireland, Australia, Sweden and Spain have hosted preseason games over the course of NFL history.
The NFL currently has 14 countries where it has licensed marketing agreements for various NFL teams, including: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
In 2007, NFL senior Vice President Mark Waller doubted Asia or Australia would be targeted because of travel concerns, but did not dismiss the possibility.
The NFL tried coming to a deal to host a game in China about a decade ago, but issues, aside from it being a Communist nation, were lack of a fan base and the game would have to be played in the middle of the night to coincide with the U.S. market.
Given all of that, and not taking into account time zones, here are seven cities that would be great places to host a future NFL game, including the two current leading contenders.
Madrid, Spain
This is a top contender already, but with two major soccer stadiums, they have great venues to host a game, including Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
The average temperature in October is between 67 and 51, so it’s perfect football weather.
Madrid has roughly 59,000 hotel rooms. It’s 6 hours ahead of U.S. East Coast time.
It also is home to the country’s royal palace, as well as historic museums and art galleries.
Barcelona, which is about 400 miles from Madrid, is another contender in Spain, but the nation’s capital makes the most sense.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
NFL fans love a good party, and there are few global cities known more for celebrating than Rio, another NFL top contender.
The Rio metro area has around 12 million people and roughly 38,500 hotel rooms.
Maracanã Stadium seats almost 79,000 fans.
Top attractions include the Christ the Redeemer statue on Mount Corcovado, multiple beaches and national parks.
Rio is one hour ahead of U.S. East Coast time. Many people don’t realize this, but all of South America is situated east of the U.S. East Coast.
Dublin, Ireland
There’s a clever new commercial with retired quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who played for the Dolphins among his many NFL teams, where he “interviews” people in Ireland, who don’t seem all too excited about the prospect of an NFL game there.
In reality, Dublin would be a great place.
They have great venue in Croke Park Stadium that holds more than 82,000 people.
They also have roughly 25,000 hotel rooms in the city.
It’s 5 hours ahead of U.S. East Coast time.
Plus, as a bonus, the stadium is only 4.4 kilometers from the Guinness Storehouse factory. That’s 2.7 miles for those scrambling for a conversion chart.
Rome, Italy
Rome is the eighth-largest city in Europe with around 2.8 million people.
Its largest stadium is Stadio Olimpico, which seats 70,000.
Although, I think it would be much better to host a game in the Colosseum, given NFL players are like gladiators.
It’s said the Colosseum seated between 50,000 and 87,000 people.
If you’re looking for things to do, Rome is the place to be.
Aside from the Colosseum, you can visit the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, and so much more.
Rome is 6 hours ahead of U.S. East Coast time.
If a game were ever held here, the NFL would have to send the Saints, right?
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is the 13th-largest city on the African continent, and second-largest in South Africa, only to Johannesburg.
Cape Town would be a better venue than Johannesburg based on location as it’s near the horn of Africa, a great place to go shark and whale watching. If you’ve ever watched “Shark Week,” you’ve seen the distinct beauty of the area.
If you’re looking for history, how’s this: The earliest known remnants of human occupation in the region were found at Peers Cave in Fish Hoek and have been dated to between 15,000 and 12,000 years old.
In 2016, the New York Times named Cape Town the best place in the world to visit.
Cape Town Stadium is capable of holding around 60,000 fans.
It’s 6 hours ahead of U.S. East Coast time.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam regularly shows up as one of the greatest cities to live in the world.
Yes, it’s known internationally for its marijuana enjoyment, but now that pot is acceptable in many parts of the world, the city is trying to move on from that stigma.
Johan Cruyff Arena is the country's largest stadium, holding around 56,000 fans.
Amsterdam is known for its historical attractions, for its collections of art and for its well preserved historic sections.
The city is referred to as the "Venice of the North" for its large number of canals, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
It’s 6 hours ahead of U.S. East Coast time.
It’s a major tourist destination having some 42,000 hotel rooms, so the NFL would add yet another feather in its cap.
Sydney, Australia
This one might be a bit far-fetched, but as we recently saw with the Women’s World Cup, it’s a great place to hold a big event.
The largest stadium in Sydney is ANZ, which holds 81,500 fans.
The city has about 44,000 hotel rooms.
Its biggest attractions include the Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Garden.
Sydney is 15 hours ahead of U.S. East Coast time, so they might have to play in the middle of the night. Or, they could hold a 6 a.m. game prior to a 9:30 a.m. London game prior to the regular NFL slate beginning at 1 p.m. Imagine 18 straight hours of NFL football?
I’m in.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Where should NFL play next international games? Here's seven options
