The NFL will play its first-ever game in South America when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Green Bay Packers on Friday, September 6 in São Paulo, Brazil.
The promise of a new season in Philadelphia always brings its fair share of excitement, but 2024 includes a unique season opener that will fire up Eagles fans anxious for a Super Bowl run.
NFL in São Paulo, Brazil
Americans obsess over Sunday football while most foreign countries fixate more on fútbol. The NFL has taken steps to expand its product in recent years, however, with games in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Mexico.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie has taken significant initiative among NFL owners, and the Eagles will take the international stage again in Brazil after traveling to London in 2018.
Eagles Fans in Anticipation
Any game at Lincoln Financial Field ignites a fire within the most passionate fan base in the NFL, but a game at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil provides all new elements of excitement.
Get ready for a Friday night NFL kickoff special, Marisa Magnatta taking the trip of a lifetime, and a truly unique experience in professional sports.
Celebrating Brazilian Culture
A foreign culture provides so much opportunity for new experience. Predominantly American tourists familiar with an American sport will explore a foreign country that most of them have probably never visited.
Many of them will travel to other parts of Brazil and South America as part of the vacation.
Get ready for creative content to teach you something new about the Amazon Rain Forest, exciting cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and plenty more about the largest country in South America.
Some incredible photos in front of the 98-foot tall Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio are bound to make the rounds.
“Brazil is an international melting pot, and we look forward to experiencing its warm, vibrant, and welcoming environment.” –Jeffrey Lurie
An Unlikely Eagles Tour Guide
Only one Brazilian-born player has ever made it to the NFL. Kicker Cairo Santos won’t appear for the Eagles or the Packers in São Paulo, but another player has a connection to the city.
Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee took missionary trips to Brazil as a teenager as service to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He spent one month living in São Paulo.
McKee immersed himself in Brazilian culture during the experience and learned to speak fluent Portuguese. He told NBC Sports Philadelphia after he was selected in the 2023 NFL Draft that he still keeps in touch with friends from his time spent in Brazil.
It looks like the Birds already have a team tour guide on the roster.
Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil
The Philadelphia Eagles will play in one of Brazil’s premier soccer stadiums.
Corinthians Arena in São Paulo holds over 47,000 fans. It hosted the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and soccer matches during the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians plays their home games there.
The Eagles played their first regular-season international game in 2018 at Wembley Stadium, a venue with a long soccer history and the namesake and modernized replacement for the location of Live Aid in 1985.
They’ve also played preseason games in Mexico City in 1978, London in 1989 and 1991, and Tokyo in 1993.
Eagles Quest For Super Bowl LVIII
Don’t forget there’s a game to play. The Eagles have Super Bowl aspirations entering the 2024 NFL season, and they’ll take on a conference rival in the Week 1 matchup.
Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts aren’t happy with the way things ended last season. The Eagles started 10-1 but slipped into a brutal slump that led to an early playoff exit.
Look for some fireworks from newcomers Saquon Barkley, Bryce Huff, Quinyon Mitchell, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson against Jordan Love and the Packers.
Party In Philadelphia
Every Eagles game becomes a party in Philadelphia. However, it’s tough to find this kind of novelty.
Eagles fans brought out their kegs and eggs for the 9:30am Sunday morning kickoff in London in 2018.
An 8pm kickoff on a Friday will make for some of the more interesting tailgate parties. Birds fans all over the area will leave work early just a few hours before kickoff. The kids will finish their school week.
Expect some breezy porchways down at the Jersey Shore with outdoor TVs, a Friday Night Lights feel to the weekend, and a crazy night in Center City (hopefully) celebrating an Eagles win.
