GREEN BAY – The Packers expect a decision "pretty soon" on whether they'll open the 2024 NFL season in Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles, President/CEO Mark Murphy told reporters on Tuesday morning prior to the start of the team's annual Tailgate Tour.
It was announced in February the Eagles had been chosen to play in the NFL's first-ever game in South America, which will take place in São Paulo at the Corinthians Arena on Sept. 6. It's the first time the NFL has played a game on Friday night of its opening weekend in more than 50 years.
The Packers emerged as a possible opponent because they're scheduled for a road matchup with Philadelphia due to both teams finishing second in their respective NFC divisions last season. If not selected for the Brazil game, the Packers would instead play the Eagles on a different date at Lincoln Financial Field next season.
A big reason Green Bay has been under heavy consideration for the NFL's inaugural game in South America is because of the Packers' popularity in Brazil.
"I think we're either the first- or second-most popular team in Brazil," Murphy said. "As we talked about, we're kind of the people's team. People really like the idea of a community-owned team, with our history and tradition."
Two years ago, the Packers played in their first international regular-season game when they traveled to London to face the New York Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Green Bay was the last of the league's 32 teams to venture overseas due to opponents' reluctance to relinquish a home game against the high-drawing Packers.
The São Paulo game is one of five regular-season matchups that will be part of the 2024 NFL International Games and represents a major milestone for the league. With the game in South America, the NFL will have played a preseason or regular-season game on five of the seven continents around the world.
In a February statement, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called this year's opener a "landmark" international game that "demonstrates the ongoing expansion of our global footprint."
"This is very important for the league," Murphy said. "The Packers are very popular in Brazil. If we're chosen, we'll gladly go."
