
Did You Know the Dallas Cowboys Have to Host an International Game?
Is 2025 the year that Dallas Cowboys season ticket holders lose out on a home game?
First International Game of 2025 Announced for the NFL
Looks like the international schedule is starting to come out for the NFL with the Miami Dolphins hosting the first ever NFL game in Spain next season. Did you know that EVERY NFL team is forced to host an international game every four years?
NFL Rules for International Games
According to the NFL operations website, "As part of the league adopting a 17-game schedule in 2021, AFC and NFC teams will alternate seasons where they have nine home games. The host teams for international games will be selected from the conference with the ninth home game, so clubs still will host eight games in their home stadium. For example, since NFC teams have a ninth home game in 2022, four NFC teams will be selected to host an international game that season.Teams can still volunteer to play home games abroad, just as they have in previous seasons."
Dallas Cowboys Last International Game (November 9, 2014)
The Dallas Cowboys have the second longest drought in the NFL from playing a game internationally. They last played the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. The Steelers have the longest drought in the NFL and they're rumored to be playing in Ireland this year, however this has not been confirmed yet.
Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Wants Mexico City
Jerry has been said many times if the NFL is forcing him to host an international game. He wants it to be held in Mexico City. "When we aren't playing here, I want to be in Mexico City. Period." Jones said. "Mexico City is good and close. If I'm going international, I want to play in Mexico City. Mainly because of our fans and our following and the affinity that we get here back home in the United States."

The NFL last played in Mexico City in 2022 when the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 38-10. All NFL games in Mexico so far have been played at Estadio Azteca. It is the official home of soccer team Club América, as well as the Mexico national team.
Dallas Cowboys Rumored to Be Playing in London?
A writer for the NFL website did some predicting for the upcoming international games in 2025. Writer Tom Blair thinks the Cowboys will play in London against the New York Jets this year. However, the game will take place at Tottenham Hot Spur's stadium. That stadium most recently hosted the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars for a game in 2024. The stadium can hold 62,850 people.
We will wait and see where the Dallas Cowboys play internationally, but I had no idea it was mandatory for all teams to do this until today. Since the Dallas Cowboys have the second longest international drought, you can expect one of these games in the very near future.
Winningest Franchises in NFL History
Gallery Credit: Stryker
2024 Top 5 Sports Searches in Texoma
Gallery Credit: Johnny Thrash