The Vikings Could Play Overseas Again and London Isn’t the Only Option

The Minnesota Vikings have been tremendously successful outside of the United States, winning all four regular season games played in London and all four preseason contests in the 80s and 90s. Those took place in London, Gothenburg (Sweden), Berlin (Germany), and Tokyo (Japan).

The Vikings Could Play Overseas Again and London Isn’t the Only Option

That list of games in foreign cities could grow in the 2025 season. The club has nine road games on the schedule; three opponents were chosen as hosts for international games.

Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling summarized the facts:

The Vikings have three 2025 road opponents — the Chargers (Brazil), Browns (London) and Steelers (Dublin) — who are hosting international games this season.

Given the fact they just went to London last season, the Vikings might not be on the NFL’s international slate in 2025, but it’s logistically possible for them to play overseas this year.

The NFL surely wants to change the teams they showcase internationally, but that doesn’t rule out that the Vikings could be chosen once again. All three foes are from the AFC, and three of Minnesota’s four regular season games in London have featured an AFC team.

The game in Brazil will take place in Sao Paolo at Corinthians Arena, home to soccer team SC Corinthians. Interestingly, it wouldn’t be a mid-season trip like the games the Vikings have played in London, as the game is scheduled for Friday night in Week 1, a day after the Eagles will open the NFL season. Last year, the Eagles and Packers matched up in the same stadium, and the eventual Super Bowl champions prevailed.

In 2017, the Vikings traveled to London to face the Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium. A rematch could take place at Tottenham Stadium, where the purple squad is 2-0. That would be a familiar trip for the franchise, but three times in four years might also be a little boring.

Led by Adrian Peterson in 2013, the Vikings faced the Steelers in London. In 2025, a contest against Mike Tomlin’s team will either take place in Pittsburgh or in Dublin for the NFL’s first regular season game in Ireland.

It’s hard to tell how likely or unlikely an international game is for the Vikings. The international games will be announced when the schedules are released shortly after the draft.

Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt