Since international games have become a standard part of every NFL season, the Patriots have fared really well when playing overseas, besides their most recent trip to Europe, of course. One of their most notable moments over the last few years was their embarrassing 2023 loss to the Colts, which many analysts believe was the catalyst for Bill Belichick's firing at the end of the year.
They evaded crossing any oceans in 2025, but they won't have that benefit this fall, as they are now officially among the few teams that could play more than one international game in 2026.
Because they are set to face both the Lions and Jaguars on the road, the Patriots could play games in Munich or London. Given their rise to stardom this past season and the potential of both of these opponents, there's a good chance they could play an early Sunday morning game for the first time in two years.
The Patriots could be playing overseas this season - maybe even more than once
Mike Reiss of ESPN confirmed the latest news in his weekly Sunday notes, sharing his belief that a matchup with the Lions might be the most enticing for the NFL from a business perspective.
"The Patriots have two chances to play internationally in 2026 -- as opponents of the Lions (Munich) or the Jaguars (London).
The value a potential Patriots-Lions game could create as part of a Sunday morning TV package was noted by some at the annual meeting ... and why it's among the possibilities that could generate momentum in the coming month or so as the league finalizes its 2026 slate."
While it might not be as widely viewed as a game like the Super Bowl, playing internationally in a lone spot on the schedule highlights both teams, as all NFL fans tune in to the one game that's broadcast at that time.
That inevitably puts the Patriots under a microscope and adds more pressure to their 2026 season than they'll be walking in with.
It will be a good opportunity to prove they are a team that was good enough to make the Super Bowl this past season, and that they are a legitimate threat not only to the AFC but to the top contenders around the league. If they can change their luck internationally, then it's a huge win in more than one way.
If they are chosen for a game of this magnitude, given that the Lions are considered a top team in the NFC, that also shows they're back on the NFL's radar, whether the higher-ups in the league like it or not. It would be a stamp of being back, more than just Patriots fans believing it, and that's a bit more exciting than just watching them in an international game.
We still have over a month until the official 2026 schedule is released, so unfortunately, we have to be patient until then, unless the league decides to announce another international game earlier than expected.