NFL International Series Betting: How to Handicap & Bet on the NFL’s Overseas Games
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Update: Tue Oct 27, 2026, 9:56 pm ET
Read Time: 11 minutes
In recent years, international games have grown from an occasional addition to the NFL schedule. Now the International Series is a significant part of the NFL season. London remains the league's most established international destination, but regular-season games have expanded into other parts of Europe, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and other markets.
For bettors, the fundamentals of NFL betting don't change when a game is played internationally. The point spread, moneyline, over/under, prop bets, and other familiar betting markets remain available at top NFL betting sites such as Lucky Rebel and BetOnline.
However, playing thousands of miles from a team's home stadium can introduce factors that aren't present during a typical NFL week. Travel, time-zone changes, acclimation, scheduling, and unfamiliar venues can all affect the circumstances surrounding a matchup.
The key is determining which factors actually matter rather than assuming an international game needs to be handicapped differently simply because of where it is played.
Check Out Our NFL Handicapping Hub »
What Is the NFL International Series?
The NFL has played games outside the United States for decades, but international regular-season games have become much more prominent since the International Series began in London in 2007.
London served as the primary home for those games for years, but the league has steadily expanded its international footprint. Germany, Spain, Ireland, Brazil, and Mexico have hosted regular-season games, while the 2026 schedule adds first-time games in Australia and France and the first game in Rio de Janeiro.
As the NFL International Series schedule has expanded, so have the circumstances bettors may need to evaluate. A game in London can involve a very different trip and playing environment from one in Mexico City, Brazil, or Australia.
2026 NFL International Series Schedule: Where and When Will This Season's Overseas Games Take Place?
The 2026 NFL International Series features a record nine games across seven countries and four continents. The schedule begins in Melbourne in Week 1 and runs through the NFL's return to Mexico City in Week 11.
| Date | Matchup & Result | Location | Kickoff (ET) |
| Sept. 10 (Week 1) | San Francisco 49ers 27, Los Angeles Rams 7 | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia | 8:35 p.m. |
| Sept. 27 (Week 3) | Baltimore Ravens 34, Dallas Cowboys 31 | Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 4:25 p.m. |
| Oct. 4 (Week 4) | Indianapolis Colts 30, Washington Commanders 13 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, U.K. | 9:30 a.m. |
| Oct. 11 (Week 5) | Jacksonville Jaguars 19, Philadelphia Eagles 17 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, U.K. | 9:30 a.m. |
| Oct. 18 (Week 6) | Houston Texans 34, Jacksonville Jaguars 31 | Wembley Stadium, London, U.K. | 9:30 a.m. |
| Oct. 25 (Week 7) | Pittsburgh Steelers 16, New Orleans Saints 10 | Stade de France, Paris, France | 9:30 a.m. |
| Nov. 8 (Week 9) | Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons | Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain | 9:30 a.m. |
| Nov. 15 (Week 10) | New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions | FC Bayern Munich Arena, Munich, Germany | 9:30 a.m. |
| Nov. 22 (Week 11) | Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers | Estadio Banorte, Mexico City, Mexico | 8:20 p.m. |
Jacksonville and San Francisco each play two International Series games in 2026. The Jaguars play consecutive weeks in London, while the 49ers open their season in Australia before playing in Mexico City later in the year. Those unusual scheduling situations are examples of why bettors should consider more than the matchup itself when evaluating international games.
NFL London Games
London is the NFL's most established international market. The city has hosted regular-season games every year since 2007 other than 2020, when the league did not play international games.
Multiple London venues have hosted the NFL over the years, with Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium becoming the primary locations. Some teams have also developed far more experience in London than others, most notably the Jacksonville Jaguars.
London games are typically played on Sunday afternoon in the United Kingdom, which creates a morning kickoff in much of the United States. That unusual time slot is another difference for bettors accustomed to the standard Sunday NFL schedule.
London's long history with the NFL can provide useful context, particularly for teams that have played there multiple times. However, previous London records shouldn't outweigh the current matchup, travel arrangements, rest, injuries, or surrounding schedule.
Other NFL International Series Games in Europe
The NFL's European footprint now extends well beyond London.
Germany has hosted regular-season games in Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin, while Madrid hosted the NFL's first regular-season game in Spain in 2025. Dublin also joined the regular-season schedule in 2025, and Paris hosts its first game in 2026.
Future expansion could bring the NFL to even more European cities. While travel from the United States may be broadly similar for some destinations, stadiums, playing surfaces, weather, kickoff times, and team preparation can differ.
Bettors should therefore evaluate the specific destination instead of treating every European game as though it presents the same conditions.
NFL International Series Games Outside Europe
The international schedule has also expanded across the Americas and into Australia.
Mexico City has hosted multiple regular-season NFL games, while Brazil joined the schedule with a game in São Paulo in 2024. Rio de Janeiro hosts its first game in 2026, and Melbourne becomes the site of the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia.
These destinations show why international games shouldn't be treated as a single category. Traveling from the United States to Australia can involve a much larger time-zone adjustment than traveling to London, while Mexico City's elevation presents a consideration that doesn't exist at most other international venues.
As the NFL continues its international expansion, bettors should start with the characteristics of the actual destination rather than making assumptions based simply on a game being played outside the United States.
How to Handicap and Bet on NFL International Series Games
The basic principles of handicapping an NFL game don't change when the matchup moves overseas. Team quality, injuries, statistics, matchups, and available odds remain central to your analysis.
International games introduce additional considerations, however. Travel, scheduling, venue conditions, and experience can affect teams differently, making it important to assess each situation rather than assume playing abroad automatically creates an advantage or disadvantage.
Evaluate Travel, Time Zones, and Acclimation
Travel distance matters, but it doesn't tell the entire story. Consider where each team departs from, how many time zones it crosses, when it arrives, and how much time players have to adjust before kickoff.
An East Coast team's trip to London differs from a West Coast team's journey to Europe, while traveling to Australia presents an even greater adjustment. Teams may also approach preparation differently, with some arriving early and others maintaining their usual weekly routines.
Kickoff timing can further complicate matters. Games played during the afternoon locally may take place at unusual hours relative to players' normal routines.
Travel arrangements can influence when to place your bets, particularly when new information emerges during the week. Rather than automatically penalizing the team traveling farther, determine whether one opponent faces a more significant adjustment in travel, acclimation, or preparation.
Consider the Schedule Before and After the Game
A team's surrounding NFL schedule can be just as important as the international trip itself.
Examine each team's previous game, recent travel workload, rest advantages, and whether it is playing consecutive road games or coming off a short week. The following week's schedule also matters. Some teams receive a bye after playing internationally, while others return to action immediately or even play consecutive overseas games.
Injuries deserve particular attention, as players managing physical issues must also contend with travel and disrupted routines. Following NFL injury reports can help you monitor their availability.
Include these scheduling considerations in your weekly NFL betting checklist. The objective is to determine whether one team faces a meaningful rest or preparation disadvantage, not simply assume that international travel causes fatigue.
Account for the Venue and Local Conditions
International venues can present different playing surfaces, stadium configurations, weather conditions, and levels of familiarity for participating teams.
Wind, rain, heat, and other conditions can affect passing, kicking, and scoring. Understanding weather's impact on betting is especially useful when evaluating totals and other weather-sensitive markets.
Elevation is another consideration. Mexico City's altitude of more than 7,000 feet can affect conditioning and potentially kicking distance, creating circumstances unlike those at most NFL venues.
Home-field advantage also requires scrutiny. The designated home team may not enjoy its usual familiarity or crowd support, particularly at a neutral international venue.
Rather than exaggerating these differences, evaluate whether specific conditions could affect the matchup. Reliable NFL betting resources can help you monitor forecasts, venue details, and other developments before kickoff.
Put International Experience in Context
Some NFL teams have considerably more international experience than others. The Jacksonville Jaguars, for example, have developed established routines through their frequent trips to London.
That familiarity can help with travel arrangements, practice schedules, recovery, and preparation. Experienced coaches and players may also be better equipped to manage the demands of playing abroad.
However, historical international records have limitations. Past results may involve different rosters, coaches, quarterbacks, opponents, and venues. A winning record in London doesn't automatically give a team an advantage in its next international matchup.
Apply similar caution to betting trends and statistical splits. International experience is most useful when you can identify how it might benefit the current team.
Ultimately, relevant NFL stats and metrics, roster quality, injuries, and matchup considerations should carry more weight than international win-loss records alone.
Conclusion
NFL International Series games have become a regular and expanding part of the league's schedule, taking teams to an increasingly diverse collection of countries, cities, and stadiums.
The fundamentals of NFL betting remain the same regardless of where a game is played. Start with the teams and matchup, then determine whether travel, time zones, acclimation, schedule placement, venue conditions, or international experience meaningfully change your assessment.
Don't assume playing internationally automatically favors or hurts either team. Evaluate the specific circumstances surrounding the matchup and treat them as additional pieces of the handicap. The goal remains finding value in the available NFL odds on an outcome supported by your analysis.
Other Betting Information
Other NFL Content by Betting News
Our NFL International Series guide is just one piece of the NFL content we churn out year-round. Check out some of our other NFL content, and bookmark Betting News so you don't miss anything.
This guide is just one of many sports betting guides available at Betting News. If you want to learn a type of bet, how to bet on a sport, league, or event, or understand a betting strategy, we have you covered.
Along with our general NFL betting guide, here are other guides we have for major leagues and competitions, strategies, and terminology:
- NBA Betting Guide
- MLB Betting Guide
- NHL Betting Guide
- College Football Betting Guide
- College Basketball Betting Guide
- WNBA Betting Guide
- UEFA Champions League Betting Guide
- Major League Soccer Betting Guide
- Formula 1 Betting Guide
- NASCAR Betting Guide
- Understanding Prop Bets
- What Are Futures Bets?
And in addition to our Super Bowl hub and betting guides, we have many other hubs and guides connected to major events, including the FIFA World Cup, March Madness, all of the Triple Crown horse races (the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes), the College World Series, and the golf and tennis majors.
Follow Betting News on Social Media
We cover the NFL in great depth on our Twitch streams and our other social media channels. Follow us on Twitch, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube for frequent NFL betting insight from our content team.
Learn About Where to Bet on Sports
At Betting News, we have in-depth reviews of many top online sportsbooks, including Lucky Rebel, BetOnline, and Everygame, as well as top Canadian sportsbooks, international sportsbooks, and VPN-friendly crypto sportsbooks for U.S. players.
Learn About Other Types of Gambling
We don't just cover sports betting, either. Prediction markets like Polymarket are on the rise, and we are ramping up our coverage of that sector.
Outside of sports and sports betting, we also have a slew of resources dedicated to casino gambling and online poker.
Do you love to play online slots, blackjack, roulette, and other popular online casino games? Check out our catalog of casino guides and learn all you need to know to play your favorite games at the best online casinos.
Do you like to play Texas Hold'em or Five Card Draw while competing for real money against other players around the world? Check out our online poker guides and explore our recommendations of top online poker sites.
Remember, betting on the NFL and any other sport or league should be for entertainment and enjoyment. Always bet responsibly and utilize good bankroll management.
But if you find yourself having trouble sticking to responsible gambling practices, take a step back and/or use resources such as the National Council on Problem Gambling to get the help you may need.