… though I do have one complaint: Why isn’t this gonna be in Rio?
The NFL announced Wednesday a 2024 regular season game will be played in Brazil, with the league also expanding their international slate from four to eight contests starting in the 2025 season.
The exact location in the South American country where teams will be playing is at Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Arena, which is where Brazilian soccer club SC Corinthians play their games. The venue was also the host for the 2016 Summer Olympics and 2014 FIFA World Cup. (RELATED: It’s Happening: New England Patriots Reportedly Moving On From Bill Belichick After This Season)
Each announcement from the NFL was made at Wednesday’s owners meetings in Dallas, and the league also stated new markets would be included in the future.
Back in October, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league could potentially have a new international spot “as early as next year,” with the league sending officials to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid, Spain, earlier in 2023 to scout locations that could possibly be used for regular season games.
In 2024, the NFL will play its first-ever game in Brazil! 🇧🇷
O primeiro jogo da NFL no Brasil será em 2024! 🇧🇷 @NFLBrasil pic.twitter.com/wp5tdCEgEq
— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2023
I can dig the NFL being in Brazil. It’s a swagged out country with a ton of beautiful beaches, but why Sao Paulo?
I mean, dang. I feel like the league completely dropped the ball here. You could have picked Rio de Janeiro with all of the tropical vibes and the super dope statue of Jesus Christ, having the Miami Dolphins (to connect to Brazilians and their tropical paradise) take on the Dallas Cowboys (America’s team). It would have been one hell of a storyline.
And seriously … we could’ve had these views:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWVhZAtWiz8
But like I said … I’m cool with Brazil. I just think the first game should have been in Rio.