The NFL has unveiled its most ambitious global schedule yet, featuring a record nine international games across seven countries and four continents. The Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers will each play two contests, presumably because their home fields need the break.
The adventure kicks off in Week 1 with the league's Australia debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 10 September, where the 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams in a clash that's technically NFC West but geographically more like 'other side of the planet.' This marks the first game of a multi-year deal announced last year, proving the NFL is serious about making jet lag a competitive advantage.
Week 3 takes the action to Brazil, with the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys meeting on 27 September at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã - a venue more accustomed to soccer celebrations than helmet-to-helmet collisions.
London gets its usual share of the action, starting Week 4 on 4 October when the Indianapolis Colts face the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Philadelphia Eagles then take on the Jaguars at the same venue in Week 5 on 11 October. The Jaguars, apparently feeling at home abroad, will play consecutive home games overseas, with a Week 6 AFC South matchup against the Houston Texans at London's Wembley Stadium on 18 October.
Paris finally gets its first taste of American football when the Pittsburgh Steelers meet the New Orleans Saints on 25 October at Stade de France. The league's second visit to Spain follows in Week 9, with the Cincinnati Bengals battling the Atlanta Falcons on 8 November at Madrid's Bernabéu.
Germany gets its turn in Week 10, with the New England Patriots facing the Detroit Lions on 15 November at Munich's Allianz Arena. The international tour concludes in Week 11 on 22 November with the Minnesota Vikings and 49ers at Mexico City's Estadio Banorte.
The full regular-season schedule drops Thursday, presumably accompanied by a map and a very understanding travel agent.