Why is Packers vs Eagles game in Brazil? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has grand plans for the league

The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles will play an international game in Brazil in Week 1 of the 2024 season. This will be the first time that the National Football League will host a game in the soccer-loving South American country.

Ahead of the Sao Paulo matchup, let's see why the Packers and Eagles are flying to Brazil and Roger Goodell's grand plans for the league.

Why is the Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles game in Brazil?

The Green Bay Packers versus Philadelphia Eagles game is taking place in Brazil due to a series of reasons. Here are three reasons why:

1. Entry into a new market

Brazil is home to more than 210 million people and has the world's eighth-largest economy. This is a great market to tap into, and the Roger Goodell-led NFL wasn't going to resist for too long.

Brazil is historically a soccer-loving country, having won the FIFA World Cup a record five times. However, the country has yet to accept American football, with most people in Brazil knowing only one game of football.

The Packers vs Eagles Brazil game is a shrewd business move for the NFL, taking the league beyond the prior international efforts focused mainly on the European continent, where it has been actively working to develop a following in various forms since the 1980s. Roger Goodell recently spoke about Brazil's potential on the Pat McAfee Show:

"This is like the spark that just creates the fire. We are really focused on becoming a global game."

2. Unique broadcast

This Week 1 Brazil game will mark the third NFL exclusive on Peacock. It is a safe bet, with astronomical ratings not expected, but due to the international nature of the matchup, a surprise is possible.

Furthermore, the Packers and Eagles are two of the most popular teams in the NFC. The matchup is sure to feature quality football.

3. Scheduling Loophole

By scheduling this game on Friday, the NFL is taking advantage of a loophole in the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. The law protects high school and college football games between the second Friday of September and the second Saturday in December each year.

With the NFL's growth, it has found unique ways to circumvent the act. This is just the latest bit of creativity by Roger Goodell and his team.

Roger Goodell has grand plans for the league

With the NFL's first game in South America tonight, Roger Goodell has revealed his grand plans for the league.

Speaking to Good Morning Football on Friday, the Commissioner said:

"We feel like this game is destined to be global. We expect to be in Asia soon. We expect to be in Australia soon. We're going to make sure that our game is available around the globe. And I think the ownership has been great on that."

He continued:

"We are going to have a minimum of eight international games a year. And if we do get to an 18 and two preseason game season, we will see even more international games. And I hope we will be playing 16 games overseas."

For the 2024 season, it all starts in the Corinthians Arena in São Paulo at 8:15 p.m. EDT.