The NFL plans to enter additional international markets, including Japan, as it seeks to build on rising interest outside the United States. Its 2026 regular season begins on September 10 and will include a record nine international games across seven countries, up from seven the previous year. Australia will host the first game on September 11 in Melbourne, featuring the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. Brett Gosper, the NFL’s head of Europe and Asia-Pacific, said the league could eventually reach 16 games outside the United States, with 2030 discussed as a possible target. He said moving some games from the preseason into the regular season has helped preserve the number of games available to U.S. fans. Japan has a following, participation and interest in American sports, although Asian time zones can make broadcasts more difficult. The NFL says the United Kingdom has more than 17 million fans and has hosted 42 games since 2007. Gosper cited Philadelphia Eagles player Jordan Mailata as an example of local talent increasing interest in Australia. The league’s longer-term objective is to rank among the top three favorite sports in countries where it operates within 10 years.