NFL to the Moon? ‘Everything an option’ as league debuts in Paris

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joked he wouldn’t rule out the moon as he emphasised the league’s commitment to global expansion ahead of its Paris debut this weekend.

In layman's terms, the league has no plans to pump the brakes on its globe-trotting ventures amid a season in which a record nine international games will be played.

France enters the fold as one of three new territories for 2026 alongside Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro when New Orleans Saints face Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France on Sunday, live on Sky Sports NFL.

It is the newest extension to a format mirroring Formula 1's reach.

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"It could lead to something else," Goodell told Sky Sports.

"Formula One actually helped me understand. I went to a race in Montreal and was looking at how they're racing, they race every week or two and have a lot of travel, a lot of ability, but also a lot of challenges. It's roughly 23 races, several of those already in the States.

"If we can get to 16 [international games] we're fairly close, it's the same number of markets we're reaching on a global basis.

"At some point we really have to think about it. Would we create an international franchise? Would we create a division? We want to think about that."

The NFL pushed its boundaries further than ever earlier this season by staging its first game in Australia as San Francisco 49ers beat Los Angeles Rams at the iconic MCG in front of 100,000 fans.

It had the feel of the league's boldest international move yet, though would also prove divisive amid players and coaches involved.

Goodell, though, says the league remains intent on establishing a long-term presence down under. Could the league possibly venture any further?

"We're looking! Everything's an option," joked Goodell of travelling as far as the moon.

"We were thrilled. When you look back at that, when you think about 10am on a Friday morning, 100,000 people coming to the NFL game, it was just remarkable.

"We shut down the town for most of the weekend. It was really, for us, an eye-opener to see something like that, so we were happy.

"We're looking back at it, too. When we play these games, we're thinking long-term. We're not coming into these games to play one game, we want to use it as a launchpad."

Goodell describes the NFL's global ambitions as a "360 challenge" as it continues to explore new markets, and credits the success of London as a host in paving the way for further expansion.

"London was the foundation, really," he said.

"The teams, what was really required, number one, was clearly to make it a successful event. One thing was to make sure the teams had an experience so they can go back and it hasn't completely disrupted their season, that in fact it enhances it.

"We were fortunate that in the first year we had the Giants and Dolphins and neither were playing great, but the Giants went on a run and what contributed to that was that they were here and they came together as a team."

Sunday's game in Paris arrives on the back of three straight in London across Tottenham and Wembley, while also preceding games in Madrid and Munich in November.

Mexico City returns to the schedule next month, while Asia has emerged as another potential destination.

The league isn't slowing down.

Watch the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, including every minute of the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on Sunday February 14, 2027. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.