The National Football League (NFL) is actively considering bringing a regular-season game to the UAE, marking a potential milestone in the league’s global expansion. Peter O’Reilly, Executive Vice President of the NFL, expressed the league’s interest during a press conference at the NFL owners’ meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.
Peter O'Reilly said that there’s a strong interest in hosting a game in Dubai or Abu Dhabi on a year-round basis. "We've done some exploratory trips there to understand the viability of a potential regular-season game in the market, but we've got more work to do there in terms of what that looks like over this next stretch".
The NFL has been steadily increasing its global presence through its International Series, which featured games in Brazil, England and Germany in 2024. The 2025 schedule will expand further, adding Spain and Ireland, while Australia will host its first game in 2026.
In a strategic move to deepen engagement in the UAE, the NFL also granted international marketing rights in the UAE to three teams, including the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders. This allows the franchises to build fan bases, host events, and promote American football in the region.
While enthusiasm is high, logistical factors such as stadium suitability, time zones and fan engagement must be evaluated before confirming a UAE game. The league has not set a timeline but emphasised that the region remains a priority market for future growth.