What's better than NFL Week 1? Week 1 in Brazil, that's what. For the first time, the league is headed to South America for an international game. The Eagles will play host to the Packers on Sept. 6 in the second game of the season.
The teams will play at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo. The stadium is legendary in the city, hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. An NFL game is another thing to cross off the list for the millions of Brazilian football fans.
The game itself isn't the only unique part of all this. The Eagles and Packers will play on a Friday, a rare occurrence for the league that plays Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
So, how did the NFL get the first-of-its-kind game scheduled on Friday? The Sporting News has the answer.
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Why are the Packers and Eagles playing on Friday night in Week 1?
The NFL is using a loophole in broadcasting rights to air the Eagles-Packers game on Friday, according to CBS Sports.
Under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, the league cannot televise games on Friday or Saturday due to high school and college football. The law is only applicable from the second week of September to the second week of December. Games are allowed on Friday as long as most of it is complete by 6 p.m. local time, which is why the 2023 schedule included a Black Friday game.
However, the Brazil game will not be played during the second week of September. The NFL begins play the first Thursday after Labor Day, but since the holiday falls on Monday, Sept. 2 this year, a Friday game is a go in 2024. That will be the case in 2025, too.
Philadelphia vs. Green Bay in São Paulo is the first time since 1970 that the NFL will have an opening week game on a Friday. It's the third Friday game since 2010.
Just don't drink the city dry this time, Packers fans.
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Why is there an NFL game in Brazil in Week 1?
As is the case with the rest of the NFL International series, it's all about "the ongoing expansion of [the NFL's] global footprint," according to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. He added that playing in Brazil in Week 1 is a "unique way to highlight [the NFL's] international growth and ambitions."
Both teams are looking to expand their fanbases around the world, and playing an international game in Week 1 allows them to make the long trip before the grind of the regular season kicks while also giving them longer to rest ahead of Week 2 given the Friday kickoff.
