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Where could the NFL hold an international Super Bowl? The pros and cons of potential hosts

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Where could the NFL hold an international Super Bowl? The pros and cons of potential hosts
News

News

Where could the NFL hold an international Super Bowl? The pros and cons of potential hosts

2025-01-29 21:29 Last Updated At:21:51

LONDON (AP) — It’s a question Roger Goodell gets when he’s in London: Would the NFL stage a Super Bowl internationally?

The usual answer is that America’s biggest sporting event is reserved for cities that have NFL franchises. But as the commissioner noted in October, “ things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”

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Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate in Philadelphia after the team defeated the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan 26, 2025. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate in Philadelphia after the team defeated the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan 26, 2025. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, left, quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrate after the Eagles won the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, left, quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrate after the Eagles won the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars mascot, Jaxson de Ville rappels from the Wembley Stadium roof during pregame of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in London. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars mascot, Jaxson de Ville rappels from the Wembley Stadium roof during pregame of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in London. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

FILE - Two Barcelona fans wait for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Mallorca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, File)

FILE - Two Barcelona fans wait for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Mallorca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, File)

FILE - The German, NFL, and United States flags are displayed in the stadium before an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)

FILE - The German, NFL, and United States flags are displayed in the stadium before an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)

FILE - Fans of US singer Taylor Swift queue to enter her concert, outside Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez), File)

FILE - Fans of US singer Taylor Swift queue to enter her concert, outside Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez), File)

FILE - The sun sets behind the rainbow-illuminated Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

FILE - The sun sets behind the rainbow-illuminated Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

FILE - Fans cheer before an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, outside Azteca stadium in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Fans cheer before an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, outside Azteca stadium in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles get set to square off in the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, here’s a look at some key factors and possible venues if the league were to take its marquee event abroad in a bid to take the game to a truly global audience.

It wouldn't be anytime soon. Super Bowl locations are set through 2028. And for international priorities, league officials are focused on increasing the number of regular-season games played abroad. Eight is the maximum number of league-operated games per season but they want to double that soon. This season, Brazil joined the list of countries to host a regular-season game. Spain is next. Ireland and Australia have been identified, and the league is considering the United Arab Emirates, too.

Viewers — and advertisers — are accustomed to the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff but with London five hours ahead and cities in Spain and Germany six hours ahead that would require flexibility on both sides. A game in Mexico City or Brazil would be easier from that perspective.

Europe in February can be dreary weather-wise, but Real Madrid’s newly renovated Santiago Bernabeu Stadium has a retractable roof. Even considering outdoor stadiums, Europe is the fastest-warming continent. The UK had its warmest February on record last year and was wetter than average, and Germany’s weather service said the 2023-24 winter was the country’s third-warmest and also one of the wettest.

Goodell’s comments in London also preceded the U.S. presidential election. President Donald Trump, who tried to buy the Buffalo Bills in 2014, has weighed in on NFL topics in the past.

While U.S. cities are willing to bend to the NFL’s considerable demands for Super Bowl week, their foreign counterparts may be less accommodating. In Europe, local governments are less likely to have the financial autonomy to underwrite a huge event, said Stefan Szymanski, a University of Michigan professor of sport management.

“It’s also not clear why the NFL would wish to forego the much greater level of interest here in the US," Szymanski added. "I think it would have to be far more popular in Europe for this to make any sense. But maybe one day.”

A look at some potential hosts:

Pros: Time zone, proximity to U.S., weather. Azteca has hosted five regular-season NFL games, including the first one held outside the United States. Cool history — both Pele and Maradona won a World Cup at Azteca, site of the “ Hand of God ” goal by Maradona.

Cons: Altitude. It is 7,200 feet above sea level (2,000 higher than any NFL stadium) Do you want to see players gasping for air by halftime? Not to mention thousands of American fans aren’t traveling for a cardio workout. An NFL game in 2018 was pulled from Azteca on short notice because of field conditions.

Pros: Basically, brand new and custom built with the NFL in mind, it boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, dedicated NFL locker rooms and field. It has hosted games since 2019 and has a long-term contract with the league. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy got the stadium built and would be a key partner for such a big event.

Cons: Time zone, weather, capacity (under 63,000).

Pros: Wembley is the NFL's “OG” in Europe. It hosted the first regular-season game played outside North America — a mudfest between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins in 2007, and it annually hosts a Jacksonville Jaguars game. At 86,000-plus capacity, it’s significantly bigger than Tottenham. Jaguars owner Shad Khan tried to buy the stadium from the English Football Association in 2018.

Cons: Time zone, weather.

Pros: Home of Real Madrid soccer club, Bernabeu has a retractable roof, so no weather worries. Like Tottenham, there’s a retractable soccer field that makes way for an American football field underneath. In 2025, the stadium will host the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Spain. Real Madrid said the deal is for several years. Stadium capacity is more than 78,000.

Cons: Time zone.

Pros: A rebuilt Camp Nou with a capacity of 104,000 would offer the NFL the chance to stage the biggest Super Bowl ever. The record attendance is 103,985 at the Rose Bowl in 1980. Like Madrid, Barcelona also brings global brand power. Mediterranean climate. The league has already spoken to Barcelona about a regular-season game.

Cons: Not in the NFL rotation yet. Time zone.

Pros: The NFL has been eyeing a return to Berlin for years. “ Olympiastadion ” will host its first regular-season game in 2025 as part of a multiyear deal that involves the cooperation of the Berlin Senate. Playing in the capital likely gives Olympic Stadium an advantage over other German cities. Capacity is just over 74,000.

Cons: Time zone, weather.

Pros: A Super Bowl week amid iconic monuments and museums in the French capital might entice even some skeptics. Capacity is 80,000.

Cons: The league and the stadium operators have discussed a regular-season game, but it hasn’t happened yet because of uncertainty over the lease. Time zone, weather.

Pros: One of the largest stadiums in Europe with capacity over 86,000. Dublin's proven ability to handle hordes of Americans who arrive each August for college football, though those games are at the smaller Aviva Stadium.

Cons: Not in the NFL rotation yet, time zone, weather.

Pros: Kickoff time. Enticing for traveling fans just weeks before Carnival. Capacity is 78,000.

Cons: Not in the NFL rotation — Goodell has named Rio as a likely host but hasn't specified a venue. Sao Paolo's Corinthians Arena is too small. Might be too hot? February is Rio's hottest month with the average daily maximum temperature of 86 degrees and high humidity. The highest temperature at kickoff of a Super Bowl was in 1973 when it was 84 degrees.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate in Philadelphia after the team defeated the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan 26, 2025. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate in Philadelphia after the team defeated the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan 26, 2025. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, left, quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrate after the Eagles won the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, left, quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrate after the Eagles won the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars mascot, Jaxson de Ville rappels from the Wembley Stadium roof during pregame of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in London. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars mascot, Jaxson de Ville rappels from the Wembley Stadium roof during pregame of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in London. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

FILE - Two Barcelona fans wait for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Mallorca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, File)

FILE - Two Barcelona fans wait for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Mallorca at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, File)

FILE - The German, NFL, and United States flags are displayed in the stadium before an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)

FILE - The German, NFL, and United States flags are displayed in the stadium before an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)

FILE - Fans of US singer Taylor Swift queue to enter her concert, outside Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez), File)

FILE - Fans of US singer Taylor Swift queue to enter her concert, outside Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez), File)

FILE - The sun sets behind the rainbow-illuminated Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

FILE - The sun sets behind the rainbow-illuminated Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

FILE - Fans cheer before an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, outside Azteca stadium in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Fans cheer before an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, outside Azteca stadium in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A judge in Argentina was selected Monday to investigate allegations of fraud against President Javier Milei for his brief promotion of a cryptocurrency whose value collapsed within hours of its launch last week.

Milei and his office denied involvement with creators of the $LIBRA cryptocurrency, saying he initially drew attention to it Friday as an entrepreneurial project that might benefit Argentina but learned more about it later and then withdrew his support.

Lawyers in Argentina filed fraud complaints against the libertarian President on Sunday. The case was assigned Monday to Judge María Servini, head of Federal Court No. 1 in Buenos Aires. She doesn’t have a deadline to finish investigating the allegations.

In a tweet Friday evening that coincided with the launch of the $LIBRA crypto coin, Milei said that it was aimed at “encouraging economic growth by funding small businesses and startups.”

It enjoyed a brief spike in value above $4 billion in market capitalization, although its value began to decline amid comments of critics that it could be a scam. Milei deleted the post a few hours later as the value of the cryptocurrency was collapsing in a downturn that caused millions of dollars in losses to many of its new investors.

The coin, developed by KIP Protocol and Hayden Davis, could be obtained by accessing a link that directed users to a website called vivalalibertadproject.com, referring to the well-known phrase “Viva la libertad!” that Milei uses to close speeches and messages on his social media.

The president's office said in a statement that Milei was not involved in any stage of the cryptocurrency’s development and decided to remove his post to avoid speculation and limit further exposure, following the public reaction to the project’s launch.

“The president shared a post on his personal accounts announcing the launch of KIP Protocol’s project, as he does daily with many entrepreneurs who wish to launch projects in Argentina to create jobs and attract investments,” the president's office said.

After deleting the post, Milei said on X he was unaware of the details of the cryptocurrency, and accused his political opponents of trying to exploit the episode.

“I was not aware of the details of the project, and after getting informed, I decided not to continue promoting it (which is why I deleted the tweet),” he said.

His office also said that the country's Anti-Corruption Office, which operates under the executive branch, would investigate the case.

Jonatan Baldiviezo, a lawyer and one of the plaintiffs, said Sunday that the plaintiffs allege that Milei's actions were part of an illicit association to commit “an indeterminate number of frauds” in the episode.

“Within this illicit association, the crime of fraud was committed, in which the president’s actions were essential,” he said.

The national newspapers Clarin, right, and Pagin 12, left, are displayed for sale at a newsstand outside La Casa Rosada presidential office carrying headlines on a cryptocurrency scandal involving President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

The national newspapers Clarin, right, and Pagin 12, left, are displayed for sale at a newsstand outside La Casa Rosada presidential office carrying headlines on a cryptocurrency scandal involving President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Photographed through a window, lawyer Jonatan Baldiviezo poses for the portrait during an interview at his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Photographed through a window, lawyer Jonatan Baldiviezo poses for the portrait during an interview at his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Juan Manuel Scala protests against Argentine President Javier Milei outside the Casa Rosada presidential office holding a poster that reads in Spanish "If it has four paws, moves its tail and barks, it's Milei lying," in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Juan Manuel Scala protests against Argentine President Javier Milei outside the Casa Rosada presidential office holding a poster that reads in Spanish "If it has four paws, moves its tail and barks, it's Milei lying," in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

FILE - Then presidential hopeful Javier Milei looks on during a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oct. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

FILE - Then presidential hopeful Javier Milei looks on during a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oct. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

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