Will the Dallas Cowboys play in Brazil in 2024? Jerry Jones makes his preference known
The NFL announced Wednesday that it will play a game in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2024.
It will be first time the NFL plays a game in South America as part of its international series.
Designated teams for the 2024 NFL International Games will be announced early next year when the matchups, dates of games and kickoff times will be confirmed when the full league schedule is announced.
According to a source, the Dallas Cowboys are being considered to play in that game.
The Cowboys have not played internationally since facing the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in 2014.
It was the Jaguars who gave up a home game.
Owner Jerry Jones is fine with the Cowboys playing a game in Brazil, as long as they don’t have to give up a home game. He would only do that to play in Mexico.
“If we do give up (a home game), I want it to be (to play in) Mexico,” Jones said. “That’s our natural synergy and affinity with our fan base.”
Jones reiterated he has nothing against playing in Brazil.
“I’ve got a lot of business in Brazil,” Jones said. “I’m one of the largest automobile dealers there are in Brazil. But I’m not as interested in the Cowboys playing there as opposed to Mexico City.”
“We’ve got a lot of fans. It might fit for a lot of clubs. It doesn’t fit for the Cowboys as much. We’ve got the highest attendance in the NFL. Let me just say this, when we aren’t playing here, I want to be in Mexico City. Period.”
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, which has hosted NFL regular-season games in 2005, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022, is undergoing renovations and won’t be ready in time for an NFL game next season.
The NFL may return to Mexico City in 2025, when the stadium is expected to be ready.
With Mexico off the table, the NFL began looking at Brazil and Spain for potential games in 2024.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Brazil was the choice at the league’s winter meetings this week.
“Bringing the NFL to new continents, countries and cities around the world is a critical element of our plan to continue to grow the game globally,” Goodell said in a statement. “Brazil has established itself as a key market for the NFL, and we are excited to be playing in Brazil and São Paulo for the first time in 2024. We look forward to working with the city of São Paulo, SP Turis and Corinthians Arena to deliver a world-class game day experience for this passionate and growing fan base.”
The first game in Brazil will be held at the Corinthians Arena, home to Brazilian soccer team the SC Corinthians. The stadium was an official venue for both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games. With the game in South America, the NFL will have played a game (preseason or regular season) in five of the seven continents around the world.
The game in São Paulo will be one of five regular season games to be played internationally in 2024. Three games will be played in London; two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the third being a Jacksonville Jaguars home game at Wembley Stadium as part of their partnership. The fifth game will see the NFL back in Germany for a third consecutive year, returning to Allianz Arena in Munich.
Brazil is an important global market for the NFL, with more than 38 million fans of the game — the second largest international fan base after Mexico.
Ricardo Nunes, the mayor of São Paulo, joined Goodell in Dallas for the announcement.
“The National Football League’s decision to bring a regular season game to São Paulo is significant and exciting for the city, consolidating São Paulo and Brazil at the center of the global sporting stage,” Nunes said. “Through our hard work, we will now be able to welcome the NFL to our city, hosting this historic game that will have a positive impact on tourism, employment and the city’s economy.”
“São Paulo positions itself as one of the major centers for some of the biggest events in the world,” added Gustavo Pires, president of São Paulo Turismo. “The NFL’s decision to play in Brazil is a statement of confidence that will contribute to further strengthening São Paulo’s image as a location for major global events and we look forward to hosting a successful NFL International Game in 2024.”
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 3:41 PM.
