Chargers Set to Go Abroad in 2025
The NFL will be hosting games in five different countries other than the United States next season. It has been announced that NFL football will be returning to England, Germany, and Brazil while also adding Ireland and Spain for the first time. Brazil hosted its first game last season in São Paulo during Week One of the 2024 season that showcased a matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. 2025 will have the same thing but this time, with the Los Angeles Chargers having the honor of hosting a game in São Paulo with the opponent still to be decided. The game will be played at Corinthians Arena.
For the Chargers, this will be their first game abroad since 2019 when they played in Mexico City. Interesting fact, the Chargers have a very decorated history of playing abroad. Once they kick off in Brazil, it will mark the fifth continent the Chargers would have played football in. They have played in Europe multiple times and have had preseason games in Asia and Australia. In regular season games, the Chargers’ record abroad is 1-2. This will be the first game that Justin Herbert will play outside of the United States in his NFL career. For head coach Jim Harbaugh, this will be his second NFL game abroad as he led the San Francisco 49ers to a win in London back in 2013. By his side back then was Greg Roman who is the current offensive coordinator for the Chargers, so he will be making the trip as well.
This upcoming season has the Chargers having nine home game opponents. As hosts for the Brazil game, this will mean eight opponents will go to SoFi Stadium while one will also head to the city of São Paulo with the Bolts. The Eagles are listed to visit the Chargers this year but they are automatically ruled out of being possible opponents in Brazil because as defending champions, they will have the honor to kick off the season from Philadelphia. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts are slated home opponents for the Chargers but they have been announced to host abroad games as well in 2025. So real possibilities to go to São Paulo are the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Washington Commanders, or the Minnesota Vikings. A 2024 AFC Wild Card playoff rematch in Brazil between the Chargers and Texans might be a very intriguing storyline for the NFL that they can not pass up.
