NFL Announces Five International Games for 2022 Season

The NFL announced today their five international games for the 2022 season. This includes the first-ever scheduled game in Germany, and what could be the first-ever played game in Mexico. The NFL attempted to play a game in Mexico City last season, but it was moved out after the number of coronavirus cases spiked.

The NFL has saved their high-profile international games for the two new countries. The Munich, Germany game will feature the highly recognizable Seattle Seahawks brand facing off against the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the Mexico City, Mexico game will feature two 2021 playoff teams and division rivals in the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca on November 21 at 8:15 p.m. EST. It’ll be broadcasted on ESPN.

The Munich game will be the first of four Germany games scheduled over the next four years. Half of those games will be played in Munich while the other half will be played in Frankfort. This year, the game will be played at Allianz Arena, home of the famous soccer club Bayern Munich, on November 13 at 9:30 a.m. EST. It’ll be broadcasted on NFL Network.

The Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars are the only two AFC teams to play overseas this year. The Jaguars have played in London every season, excluding the pandemic 2020 season, since 2012. That game will also be the only one streamed exclusively on ESPN+ on October 30 at 9:30 a.m. EST. The Jaguars play their London “home” game at Wembley Stadium.

Since the NFL expanded the schedule to 17 games, they also agreed to have the conference who received a ninth home game to have a minimum of four of the international games each year. That minimum was put in place to allow for the Jaguars to continue playing in London even when the NFC receives the ninth home game, like this upcoming season.

The other two London games will be played at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium and on NFL Network. The first one is between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints on October 2 at 9:30 a.m. EST. The other is on October 9 at 9:30 a.m. EST and will feature the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers.

The Steelers have only played internationally once in 2013, losing 34-27 to the Vikings in London.