On Friday, September 6th the NFL will play it’s first ever game in South America. The Green Bay Packers will take on the Philadelphia Eagles for a week 1 matchup in São Paulo, Brazil. In a country where soccer rules all, all eyes will be on the pigskin. American football in Brazil has been quietly gaining ground for years. From local leagues popping up across the country to a growing army of face-painted, jersey-wearing fans, the sport has found an unexpected home in this soccer-crazed nation.
The Origins of American Football in Brazil
Imagine this: It’s the late 1980s, and a group of Brazilians, fresh from living in the U.S., return home craving their Sunday football fix. So, what do they do? They start tossing around a football on the beaches of Rio. These casual games would spark a movement, planting the seeds of American football in Brazil.
Of course this wouldn’t be an overnight adoption. Having the proper equipment, the appropriate fields, and players and coaches who knew the Xs and Os of this game would be slightly harder to come by than starting a game of soccer. However, the passion proved to be enough to lay the groundwork for what was to come.
Fast forward to 2013 and American football in Brazil got serious. The Confederação Brasileira de Futebol Americano (CBFA) was born, overseeing the Brasil Futebol Americano (BFA) – the country’s premier league. With 30+ teams and over 2,000 athletes, the popularity of American football in Brazil continues to grow.
Fan Culture and Viewership
With over 30 million fans, Brazil boasts the 2nd largest NFL fanbase outside of the United States. It’s true, in the land of Pelé, Ronaldo and Neymar, it would come as no surprise to spot a Packer fan rocking a cheesehead wondering the streets of São Paulo.
And when it comes to the Super Bowl, Brazilians don’t mess around. Cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro host viewing parties that would stack up to any American sports bar. Thousands of fans gather, turning the event into a full-blown festival. The passion from the pitch certainly seems to translate to the endzones.
NFL Presence in Brazil
The upcoming Packers-Eagles showdown in São Paulo isn’t just a game; it’s the NFL planting its flag firmly in Brazilian soil. It’s the league’s way of saying, “We’re here, and we’re serious about growing the sport in Brazil.” And let’s be honest, a Lambeau (or should I say Corinthians) Leap would look pretty awesome here..
But the NFL’s presence in Brazil goes beyond this one game. They’ve been busy behind the scenes, promoting flag football programs in Brazilian schools and hosting watch parties for major NFL games. This all stems from the NFL International initiative. With the game growing at pace beyond the U.S., fans from all continents have more opportunities to connect with the NFL like never before. These opportunities range from international games and global football development programs to club and player initiatives.
2024 Week 1 Kickoff
From the beaches of Rio to the Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, American football in Brazil has come a long way. It’s a story of passion, perseverance, and people who thought “You know what, that other football game looks pretty fun too.”
As the Packers and Eagles take the field in Week 1, they’re not just playing a game – they’re nurturing the seeds of a sporting revolution in Brazil. From Gerrit Meier, Managing Director and Head of NFL International: “With over 35 million passionate fans in Brazil, the Friday night 2024 regular-season opener in São Paulo will bring an incredible energy – marking a historic moment for our sport internationally.”
By the way, Cheeseheads aren’t just found in the small city of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Expect to see plenty of the iconic foam headpieces inside the stadium on Friday night in Brazil.
The game will be streamed exclusively on Peacock via NBC but will also be available on broadcast TV in local markets of Green Bay and Philadelphia.
