Los Angeles The NFL announced Wednesday that the Los Angeles Chargers would play their 2025 season opening in Brazil, becoming the first team to play on five continents.
When the NFL releases its regular-season schedule in May, the Chargers’ opponent is anticipated to be revealed.
The Chargers will host the game at São Paulo’s Neo Quimica Arena on Friday, September 5. Last season’s first NFL game in South America took place there in Week 1 between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.
The Chargers, led by former Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert, lost 32-12 to Houston in the playoffs’ wild-card round after finishing 11-6 in 2024, their first season under coach Jim Harbaugh.
“It’s a privilege to represent the NFL on a global platform once more,” stated A.G. Spanos, president of business operations for the Chargers. Additionally, it’s a fantastic chance to help the game flourish and introduce the Chargers brand to millions of sports enthusiasts in Brazil and Latin America.
The Chargers have traveled to Mexico City, London, Tokyo, Berlin, and Sydney for regular-season or preseason games since 1976.
The Chargers will host Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, and Minnesota in addition to AFC West foes Denver, Kansas City, and Las Vegas.
While the Colts and Steelers are already set to host their own international games, the NFL is unlikely to schedule the Eagles for consecutive trips to South America because the Super Bowl winners often get to start the next season at home.
The NFL has revealed that seven of its 2025 regular-season games will take place abroad.
In London, three will be played. The Jacksonville Jaguars will make their yearly visit at Wembley Stadium, while the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets are the official home clubs for the games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Miami Dolphins will host the league’s first regular-season game in Madrid, Spain, while the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the game in Dublin, Ireland. The Indianapolis Colts will be the home team for Berlin’s first-ever hosting of the Germany match.
Starting with the 2018 season, the NFL is able to book up to eight overseas games.
The Associated Press
