Scotland's First NFL Game
Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Plans Historic NFL Regular-Season Game in Scotland Amid Global Expansion Push
Key Points
Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh is identified as the most plausible site for Scotland's first NFL game, described as the largest capacity stadium in Scotland and a former home to the NFL Europe-era Scottish Claymores.
Scotland has never hosted an NFL game, making any Patriots matchup in Scotland a historic first for the league in that country.
The NFL's 2026 International Series is set to feature nine international games across seven countries from September to November, with destinations including Australia, France, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom (Ireland also hosting in the mix).
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has reiterated an ambition to eventually reach 16 international games per year as part of its global-growth push.
The World Cup-fueled presence of the Tartan Army in Boston has influenced Kraft to entertain the idea of staging a regular-season Patriots game in Scotland as a gesture of appreciation for the visiting fans.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has told NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell he wants to stage a regular-season game in Scotland, according to The Boston Globe. The push comes after Scotland's national soccer fans — known as the Tartan Army — flooded Boston during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving a lasting impression on Kraft and the city.
If it happens, Scotland would host its first-ever NFL game. ProFootballTalk reports Kraft views the Scottish fans' visit as a "sales pitch" for the market. The most likely venue is Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, which holds 67,144 fans and has hosted American football before.
Tartan Army Won Over Boston — and Robert Kraft
Scotland played its first two 2026 World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. On June 13, the Tartan Army watched Scotland beat Haiti 1-0, then returned on June 19 for a 0-1 loss to Morocco. Despite the defeat, Field Level Media reported the atmosphere was "among the best of the tournament."
The Scottish fans did more than cheer. They raised thousands of dollars for local cancer units and cleaned up city streets after celebrations, according to CBS News. One Edinburgh fan told CBS: "Love you guys, love this place... You've been the best hosts." Kraft reportedly took note of all of it.
Murrayfield Is Scotland's Best Shot at Hosting a Game
Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh is the front-runner to host a potential game. It is Scotland's largest stadium at 67,144 seats. It also has history with American football — the Scottish Claymores won the NFL Europe championship there in 1996 in front of 38,982 fans, per Wikipedia.
98.5 The Sports Hub reports that Murrayfield already has the broadcast infrastructure used for Six Nations Rugby, making it technically ready for an NFL broadcast. The NFL would still need to send a team to check locker room size and field quality before any deal is signed.
NFL's Global Expansion Is Already in High Gear
The NFL's 2026 season already features nine international games across seven countries, including Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, according to DAZN News. Commissioner Goodell has set a longer-term goal of reaching 16 international games per year.
A Scotland game would not land on the 2026 schedule, which is already set. ProFootballTalk suggests the earliest target would be the 2027 or 2028 season. The Patriots could also formally claim Scotland as a home marketing territory under the NFL's Global Markets Program, introduced in 2022.
Big Economic Upside — but Critics Say Home Cities Pay the Price
NFL international games bring real money to host cities. London has seen a total economic impact of $2.6 billion since 2007, per Athleisure Mag. Fans at London games spend an average of £329 ($418) per day — roughly triple what a typical overnight visitor spends.
But critics argue the gains abroad come at a cost at home. Each away game costs the Foxborough area an estimated $7 million to $10 million in lost economic activity, hitting stadium workers, vendors, and local businesses hardest. ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio has also argued the NFL will eventually need permanent international franchises — not just one-off games — to truly tap into the passion overseas.
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