NFL returns to Brazil in 2025 with Chargers to play in week one / Photo: Ralph Freso - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
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NFL returns to Brazil in 2025 with Chargers to play in week one
The NFL will return to Brazil for a regular-season game in the first week of the 2025 campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers set to appear, the league announced on Wednesday.
The Chargers will face a team yet to be announced on September 5, the Friday of the opening week of the season, at Sao Paulo's Corinthians Arena, home to Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians.
The move follows an inaugural game in Brazil last season between the Green Bay Packers and the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at the same venue.
"After a successful and memorable first game in Brazil in 2024, we are delighted to confirm the league's return to Sao Paulo," NFL Brazil General Manager Luis Martinez said.
Brazil's NFL fan base of more than 36 million people ranks second in non-US markets behind only Mexico.
Sao Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes said the city had an economic return of $60 million from hosting the NFL contest.
"It's an honor to once again represent the NFL on an international stage," Chargers president of business operations A.G. Spanos said. "It's also a tremendous opportunity to help grow the game and bring the Chargers brand to millions of sports fans across Brazil and Latin America."
The Chargers' opponent will be unveiled when the full NFL schedule is announced later this year.
The NFL has conducted 55 regular-season games in global markets with contests in London, Munich, Frankfurt, Sao Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto. The Chargers have played two regular-season games in London and another in Mexico City.
The NFL has six other regular-season games scheduled in international cities for the 2025 campaign.
Two regular-season games will be played at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns each involved in a game.
The Jacksonville Jaguars also will play at London's Wembley Stadium as part of a multi-year deal.
Berlin's Olympic Stadium will host an NFL game involving the Indianapolis Colts while Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu will host a match involving the Miami Dolphins and Dublin will host a regular-season game of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The NFL also has announced a 2026 regular-season game involving the Los Angeles Rams will be played in Melbourne, Australia.
W.Baert --JdB
