It’s often disheartening and, frankly, feels a bit futile to question something when the answer is inevitably a mix of money, politics, and the relentless drive of capitalism—what we often call “the system” but is really just a ruthless quest for profit and attention. Yet, despite this, we still crave to be heard. After watching the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Green Bay Packers 34–29 in a stadium so remote it feels like you need a spaceship to get there from the Philly suburbs, it’s clear some fans want their voices to be acknowledged.


I begrudgingly accept that in five years, the NFL will be entrenched in every corner of our lives. We’ll likely see a 20-game regular season, games starting on Labor Day and eventually pushing back to National Buttered Corn Day (August 23), and perhaps even the Fourth of July. Replica jerseys will become everyday wear, and paychecks might soon include an option to wager on Thursday Night Football thanks to a full integration with FanDuel. This is all part of the NFL’s ongoing strategy to captivate us.


But there was something unsettling about seeing the Eagles and Packers kick off their seasons so far from home. It struck me more profoundly than expected when Saquon Barkley scored his second touchdown of the game for the Eagles, running to the corner of the end zone with arms outstretched in celebration. I know plenty of fans who dream of witnessing such a moment in person—an event where they can flaunt their team’s new star player and send a triumphant message to rival fans, only to have it streamed live from another continent for a fee. It was jarring to then see a clip of Corinthians fans celebrating a goal in the same stadium, feeling a deep connection to their familiar surroundings. I wondered how strange it would feel for those Brazilian fans if the goal had been scored in a distant stadium like one in Charlotte.


Let’s be clear: international football is a great thing. Devoted global fans are incredibly knowledgeable and face many barriers to engaging with the sport. We don’t own football, and it benefits everyone when the sport is shared worldwide. This isn’t about Brazil itself.


The issue lies with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s plan to double the number of international games and sell matches to cities around the world. The league’s relentless pursuit of revenue shouldn’t come at the expense of the sport’s deep-rooted traditions in the U.S. Opening weekend, for instance, should be as sacred as Thanksgiving in the NFL calendar. If a home game must be sacrificed, it shouldn’t be the home opener—the first chance to see a team with fresh hopes and unblemished records.


The fans who live for these moments—the ones who build the core of the NFL’s business model and have supported the league through thick and thin—deserve to experience these pivotal games. These fans, who invest heavily in tickets, parking, memorabilia, and personal seat licenses, should not be deprived of their chance to revel in a game that is meaningful to them.


Oddly specific, I know, but the only ones who seemed to think this international game was a good idea were Brazilian fans, who might have preferred a less critical game later in the season, and the increasingly wealthy team owners who seem disconnected from their core audience. For some Eagles and Packers fans, Friday night felt like being told the family Christmas party was on the dark side of the moon and they needed a spacecraft to attend.


If the NFL is eager to showcase its games globally, why not do it closer to home? Host the game at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium and let Eagles and Packers fans camp out together in a massive parking lot for the weekend. And let’s ensure the field conditions are up to standard, unlike some previous international venues that have faced criticism for poor playing surfaces.


I understand the motivations behind these international games. The NFL is effectively spreading its influence worldwide, drawing millions more into its orbit despite the strain on local fans, players, and staff. It’s a perfect sport for this global stage, but sharing it can be challenging, especially on nights like Friday when it feels so far removed from the familiar.