Saints could play another international game in the near future

The Saints could be set to play another international game in the near future. One of their opponents is hosting a game in Spain, and France looms large in 2026:

The New Orleans Saints could be headed overseas sooner rather than later.

The Saints are set to play the Miami Dolphins in 2025 — the same team who announced in January that they were set to host a game in Madrid in the upcoming season.

It marks the first time an NFL game will be played in Spain as the league continues to bring contests around the world. The venue the action will take place in is the 78,000-seat Bernabeu Stadium.

The opponent has not yet been revealed, but Miami’s list of visitors for 2025 does include the Saints, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers and the Washington Commanders.

If the opponent is indeed the Saints, it will not be the first time the two teams have faced each other outside of the United States. The Saints and the Dolphins squared off against each other in London, England, back in 2017. New Orleans won a 20-0 shutout over Miami in that game.

And it has been even longer since the Saints have played the Dolphins in Miami, with that game taking place over a decade and a half ago when Saints came out on top, 46-34 on Oct. 25, 2009.

The Saints last traveled abroad to play a game against the Vikings in London on Oct. 2, 2022, losing 28-25 in a close one to Minnesota.

Looking ahead, the Saints themselves could end up hosting their next international game in Paris, France as soon as 2025, though it seems more likely that would occur in 2026. The news was originally reported by Fletcher Mackel of WDSU back in mid-August.

New Orleans holds exclusive marketing rights with the country, and it’s fitting given the state of Louisiana’s strong connections to France and cultural connections that have always been very evident in the state.

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Broncos welcome ‘very possible’ scenario of international game in 2025

Broncos owner Greg Penner welcomes the “very possible” scenario of playing as a “road” team in an international game in 2025.

NFL teams are required to play at least one international game once every eight years. The Denver Broncos last played abroad in 2022 (a 21-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London), so they are not required to play overseas again before 2029.

However, the Broncos could still agree to play an international game in 2025, potentially as an away team. Team owner and chief executive officer addressed the possibility of an international game during his end-of-season press conference earlier this week.

“This isn’t one of our [mandatory] years,” Penner said Wednesday. “You have a cycle with the league. I think it’s about every eight years that we’re required to play one of our home games [abroad]. This isn’t one of those years for us, but there are some games, away games of ours, and those teams you’ve seen are the Jets and the Colts. So it’s very possible we end up playing in a game in London or Berlin.

“I think Sean [Payton] has a great approach to these things which is, ‘That’s an opportunity for the team to have some time to bond in a different way.’ You saw that with the team this year at the Greenbrier, which I think was helpful for the team as really building a young group and a culture. We’d welcome that if we have the opportunity to do it.”

As Penner noted, Denver’s list of 2025 opponents includes road games against the Jets and Colts, who are set to “host” games in London and Berlin, respectively, during the 2025 season. That makes the Broncos candidates for both of those games.

In addition to playing in England and Germany, the NFL is also expected to play games in Mexico, Brazil, Spain and Ireland this fall.

The Pittsburgh Steelers — who are not among Denver’s 2025 opponents — are expected to be the “home” team for the Ireland game. The Miami Dolphins (also not a Broncos 2025 opponent) were just announced as “hosts” for the Spain game this morning.

Meanwhile, there have been unconfirmed reports that the Houston Texans will be the “home” team for a Mexico game this fall. Denver does have a road game against the Texans in 2025, and at least one Mexican outlet has suggested that the Broncos could play south of the border next season.

There have been no credible reports of the “home” team for the Brazil game yet, but the NFL has confirmed it plans to play another game in South America in 2025.

To to recap: Denver is unlikely to play in Ireland or Spain next season. England and Germany are confirmed possibilities while Mexico and Brazil home teams are still to-be-announced. We should find out more info in the coming weeks as the NFL continues unveiling the 2025 international slate.

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Broncos are candidates for an international game in 2025

The Broncos are potential candidates for London (@ Jets) and Berlin (@ Colts) games in 2025. Mexico, Brazil, Spain and Ireland are TBA.

The Denver Broncos are candidates to play in one of the NFL’s international games next season.

Last week, the NFL announced that the New York Jets will “host” a game in London next season. Because the Broncos are one of the Jets’ “road” opponents next fall, Denver is in contention for that London game.

This week, the league announced that the Indianapolis Colts will be the “home” team for a game in Berlin in 2025. Indy is also on the Broncos’ list of “away” games, so Denver is also a candidate to play in Germany.

The NFL has not yet announced what clubs will be the “home” teams for potential international games in Mexico, Brazil, Spain and Ireland. The Broncos figure to be a strong candidate to eventually “host” a game in Mexico, which is the team’s designated international market.

There have been rumblings that the Miami Dolphins will play in Spain and the Pittsburgh Steelers will play in Ireland, but official announcements are yet to come. Denver’s list of 2025 opponents does not include the Dolphins or Steelers.

We already know the Broncos are a candidate for London and Berlin. We’ll find out in the coming weeks if any other teams on Denver’s schedule are set to host international games in 2025. The complete schedule is expected to be announced in May.

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Could the Buffalo Bills be back in London again in 2025?

Could the Buffalo Bills be back in London again in 2025?

Did you enjoy the Buffalo Bills across the pond before?

If so or if not, you might have a chance to do it again.

Nothing is confirmed in terms of the Bills, but two of the team’s oppnentss next season were slated as home teams for NFL games during the regular season next year: The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.

The final answer won’t be known until the NFL releases the

OK, back to the playoffs.

Broncos are a candidate to play in London in 2025

With the Jets “hosting” a game, the Broncos are a candidate to play in London during the 2025 NFL season.

The Denver Broncos are a potential candidate to play as an “away” team in London during the 2025 NFL season.

The NFL announced Friday that the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns will “host” games in England next fall. Those three AFC teams will each give up one of their home games to play abroad in 2025.

Meanwhile, the Broncos are set to play a road game against the Jets next season (here is the team’s full list of 2025 opponents). That puts Denver in contention to be the team New York faces in London this fall.

While the Broncos are one of the possible candidates, they might not be the most likely option. Denver just played in London in 2022 and the team’s designated international market is Mexico.

So if the Broncos play an international game in 2025, Mexico City is the team’s most likely destination. Last year, the NFL announced its full international schedule in May. Denver fans should expect a similar timeline for the 2025 schedule to be announced.

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If the Cowboys return to London in 2025, it will be against this team

From @ToddBrock24f7: The Browns, Jaguars and Jets have been revealed as “host” teams for London’s 3 games in ’25. Of those, the Cowboys will face just one.

The NFL is returning to London three times in 2025. But if the Cowboys are going to make their first trip to the United Kingdom in over a decade, there’s only one possibility.

The league announced on Friday its designated home teams for next season’s London games. The Cleveland Browns and New York Jets will act as honorary hosts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a game each, and the Jacksonville Jaguars will welcome an opponent to Wembley Stadium for the 14th time.

Of those, only the Jets are scheduled to play the Cowboys.

NFL.com’s Tom Blair calls that one of his “dream matchups” for the London slate.

The Jets, of course, have some major question marks at the head coach and quarterback positions. And while Mike McCarthy isn’t a lock to return to the Cowboys sideline next season, Blair points out that “Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and CeeDee Lamb should be plenty capable of providing some spice” to the matchup.

But Blair admits, “In reality, the schedule-makers might not be able to resist showcasing this game stateside in prime time.”

A game at Tottenham against the Jets isn’t the Cowboys’ only chance at an international showing in 2025, as the league will also stage a pair of contests on the European mainland. While the home teams for those games have not been announced, one can look at the Cowboys’ finalized list of opponents and do some narrowing down.

It is believed that AFC teams will serve as the host squad in all international games next season, since that conference has the extra home date on the 17-game schedule. If that holds true, the Cowboys’ only remaining possibilities would be facing either the Broncos or Raiders in either Berlin or Madrid.

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Of the 55 regular-season games ever played outside the U.S., the Cowboys have appeared in just one: a 2014 tilt against the Jaguars at London’s Wembley Stadium. Tony Romo led Dallas to a 31-17 win that day with two touchdown passes to Dez Bryant and another to Jason Witten.

Dates for the 2025 International Series games have not been announced.

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Formula 1 to host season launch event in London with all teams in 2025

Formula 1 has announced plans for a public season launch event in 2025, rather than having teams hosting individual car launches. In the past, each team would choose how and when it unveiled its new car, with recent years seeing a mix of online …

Formula 1 has announced plans for a public season launch event in 2025, rather than having teams hosting individual car launches.

In the past, each team would choose how and when it unveiled its new car, with recent years seeing a mix of online launches, physical events at either factories or special venues, or even trackside unveilings alongside shakedowns. However, in an attempt to collaborate across the grid, F1 has organized a launch event at London’s O2 Arena on February 18 of next year, where all teams, drivers and team principals will participate.

As well as the livery launches, there will be entertainment and special guest presenters for a show that is due to run from 8pm – 10pm local time in the United Kingdom.

“For the first time we will bring together our fans, all 20 superstars of our sport and some very special guests to officially kick off our new season and mark our 75th year of racing,” F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali said. “With 2025 set to be a classic season following all the drama so far in 2024, this is a fantastic opportunity for fans of all ages to experience up-close the incredible entertainment spectacle that is Formula 1.”

The event will be produced by Brian Burke who was also responsible for the opening and closing ceremonies at last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix (pictured top), and will be open to fans. Tickets range from $74 to $145 and will go on sale at 10am GMT (5am ET, 2am PT) on Friday morning at: www.theo2.co.uk/F175live

“It’s an incredible honor to continue to partner with Formula 1 creating new entertainment experiences, especially this brand-new launch event of the 2025 season celebrating the 75th anniversary of the sport,” Burke said. Through our collaboration with all 10 teams, fans can be assured we’ll be delivering a truly exciting live experience combining the unveiling of the new liveries, interviews with the biggest names in F1, and cutting-edge entertainment. It will be a never-before-seen event not to be missed!”

F1 says the event will also be available to watch live globally, with broadcast details to be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Former Notre Dame tight end named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

He surely never thought he’d add this to his trophy case.

If anyone proved how versatile they are in the NFL during the past week’s slate of games, it was [autotag]Cole Kmet[/autotag]. The former Notre Dame tight end, now with the Chicago Bears, was pressed into duty he likely never thought actually would come to pass.

While Kmet scored twice and had five receptions for 70 yards in the Bears’ 35-16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, it was what he did on special teams that caught everyone’s attention.

Already down their primary long snapper, the Bears suddenly were faced with a pickle when backup long snapper Scott Daly was injured in the first quarter. Knowing Kmet was a long snapper in high school, they pressed him into duty for five extra-point attempts and one field-goal attempt.

Kmet’s performance impressed enough that he was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He is believed to be the first player in NFL history to win the award as a long snapper. The fact that he’s not even a true long snapper makes this even more impressive.

Congratulations to Kmet, and let’s hope he has even more success after the Bears’ bye week.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

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Notre Dame’s Cassandre Prosper teaches French ahead of Olympics

Time to get educated.

Notre Dame guard [autotag]Cassandre Prosper[/autotag] missed most of this past season, but the next two weeks should help make up for that. She’s off to Paris to represent Canada for the 2024 Olympics. She’s incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity at this stage of her career.

To help get Irish fans in the Parisian spirit for the Olympics, Prosper, who hails from Montreal, shared a few French words and phrases on social media:

Those of you who took French in school might have known some of these already, but for everyone else, it’s a nice little educational moment.

This tweet was made the same Prosper scored six points in Canada’s pre-Olympic 77-74 victory over Australia in Spain. Former Irish standout [autotag]Natalie Achonwa[/autotag] contributed 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting and grabbed six rebounds.

Elsewhere, the U.S. bounced back from [autotag]Arike Ogunbowale[/autotag]’s All-Star MVP performance by topping Germany, 84-57, in its last game before the Olympics in London. [autotag]Jewell Loyd[/autotag] scored 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, and [autotag]Jackie Young[/autotag] had eight points.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce wants an opportunity to play for an NFL team in London

Kansas City #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce wants an opportunity to play for an NFL team in London | @EdEastonJr

The broad appeal of the NFL internationally has helped build it into the powerhouse league it is today. The Kansas City Chiefs and their larger-than-life stars, including Travis Kelce, have reached fans in many countries, especially London, England.

The latest episode of New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce (Presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment) discussed Travis’ prospects of playing for a London-based NFL team.

“I’m waiting for that team (London) to play for another team other than the Chiefs,” said Kelce. “That’s the only situation is if I get to play abroad.”

The brothers recorded the latest episode from the Passyunk Avenue Bar in London, England. They were recapping their recent trip to London, including attending Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ and meeting the Royal family. Travis believes an NFL franchise could potentially be awarded to London.

“Less than ten years,” said Travis, “I don’t know for a fact it’s London.” Kelce has experience playing football in the UK. In 2015, the Chiefs defeated the Detroit Lions 45-10 at Wembley Stadium. He finished with six catches for 49 yards and a touchdown.