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The NFL will play a record nine international games during the 2026 season, spanning four different continents and seven countries, beginning with a stop in Melbourne, Australia.
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will play the first ever game in Australia, but it will be played at 10:35 a.m. local time on Friday, September 11 to coincide with a Thursday night game at 8:35 PM ET in the US
As the NFL continues its push to reach more millions globally, one question remains: How do the players feel about it, especially those who will be in situations like the Rams and 49ers come September?
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ESPN analyst Cam Newton is on the set of “First Take” on February 6, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton was never able to play overseas as he battled a Lisfranc injury when his team was scheduled to play in Great Britain. However, he believes that from a business perspective for the NFL, a global push makes too much sense.
“I think what the NFL is doing is almost on brand. It’s business,” he said. “When we have this conversation about business, they understand the magnitude of enlarging the game of football. They do it in one way with full-contact football, but they also do it in another sense that probably comes more naturally, with the flag dynamic.
According to the International Federation of American Football, there are 2.4 million kids under the age of 17 playing organized flag football in the United States. But globally, there are millions who participate in the flag game, in which the NFL is heavily involved.
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As a result, international fans of all ages are being tapped into the NFL game, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the rest of the league office have made a concerted effort to allow these fans to watch live-action NFL play in their home countries.
“So many different people from different colors, creeds, as well as genders can participate in the flag game. I think the NFL understands the importance, similar to what the NBA has been doing for decades now. They’re just trying to explore and expand the NFL brand.”
Apart from Melbourne, there will be three London games, while Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Munich, Madrid and Mexico City will all host the NFL in 2026.
Cam Newton on the radio row in the Super Bowl LIX media center on February 7, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
It may be good business for the NFL, but legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg said in a recent interview with Pakinomist Digital that players have “mixed feelings” about traveling overseas.
“They actually like the travel aspect of it, seeing different cultures and stuff,” Steinberg said. “But it takes a physical toll. I mean, flying off.” [the West Coast] to London is 12 hours. Then it’s 14 hours to fly back. Once you start moving east in Europe, it gets longer than that. So it takes a physical toll.
“I think if you ask the coaches, they don’t love international matches because it takes them out of the routine and the schedule.”
EXPANDING CONTENT SCOPE WITH OFFSCRIPT
Newton may not be on the field anymore, but he’s still tuned in to the NFL and all other sports moments through his content creation, most notably his “Funky Friday” and “4th & 1 with Cam Newton” shows as part of his Iconic Saga Productions.
Newton and his production team announced a major partnership with Offscript Worldwide, a creator-owned ecosystem that connects culture-shaping brands and platforms under one roof, which includes REVOLT Sports and 3BlackDot.
Offscript unveiled this new partnership at the 2026 IAB NewFronts, where they will begin collaborating with Newton’s independent production powerhouse, integrating his hit shows and amplifying the reach of athlete-driven storytelling for global brands.
Cam Newton of Team J Balvin looks on against Team Druski during the Super Bowl LX Celebrity Flag Football Game on YouTube at Moscone Center South on February 7, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
“When you really think about Offscript, it’s like the ecosystem that bridges so many different facets of our lives, from sports, to culture, to lifestyle, and so many different things,” explained Newton. “That transition for me was not foreign. Instead of training to be the best soccer player or the best athlete. Now I’m just training to be the best content creator that I can possibly be.
“I just always want to be a beacon for that person, in many ways, who was figuring it out as I went along. I’m just so excited that Offscript gives me and Iconic Saga the opportunity to continue to believe in our vision, and we’re not able to do these things without great partners like this.”
As this partnership kicks off, Newton will also hit the road for the “4th & 1 College Tailgate Experience,” visiting HBCUs across the United States to celebrate their legacy and shine a national spotlight on student-athletes, academic programs and the unique game-day culture that defines what it means to be an HBCU.
