The Houston Texans could be going international in 2025.
With the NFL’s announcement for its international series to return to Brazil this fall, sights are set on the visitor’s side of the Los Angeles Chargers’ schedule. The Bolts were chosen to serve as the designated “home” team in São Paulo at Corinthians Arena for the Friday night matchup in Week 1.
Eight other teams join the Texans as one of the potential matchups set to take place as part of the opening weekend, though the list could shrink given other circumstances. The Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers are already slated for international play in 2025, it seems unlikely they would also be scheduled for this game.
This leaves seven teams up for grabs. Joining the Texans are the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings. The Chargers’ opponent for the game will be revealed when the full NFL schedule is announced in the spring (likely in early May).
Houston also has a road game against the Colts, who will “host” games in Berlin, respectively, this fall. So the Texans are candidates for Brazil and Germany games in 2025, though Brazil seems more likely given the matchup being a rivalry in-division battle.
If selected, this would mark the second time Houston and Los Angeles have met in the 2025 calendar year. The Texans bested the Chargers in a 32-12 wild-card round victory at NRG Stadium.
International games have only continued to grow in recent years, especially as an imbalanced 17-game schedule created an opportunity to use that extra home game overseas.
With the AFC getting the ninth home game in 2025, three of the four international contests are expected hosted by teams from that conference.
The NFL is also expected to return to Mexico next season, and Houston might also be a candidate to play in that game.against another team from the AFC West.