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.
[vertical-gallery id=620142]
