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YouTube to Stream 2025 Week 1 NFL Game in Brazil Worldwide for Free

YouTube to Stream 2025 Week 1 NFL Game

The National Football League (NFL) is making history again. In a groundbreaking move to expand its global digital presence, the league announced that YouTube will exclusively stream the 2025 Week 1 regular season game live and free to audiences worldwide. The game, set to take place on Friday, Sept. 5, at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, will mark the NFL’s first-ever globally accessible, free live-streamed game on YouTube.

This strategic decision not only reinforces the NFL’s commitment to international growth but also reflects its expanding partnership with digital platforms. With the Los Angeles Chargers as the designated team, the event will kick off the NFL’s 2025 International Games series. The Chargers’ opponent will be revealed on Wednesday, May 14 at 8 p.m. ET when the full 2025 NFL schedule is released.

“We are excited to expand our relationship with YouTube to bring this year’s Brazil game to a worldwide audience,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL executive vice president of media distribution. “YouTube and YouTube TV have been incredible partners of the NFL for several years and boast an immense global reach, and we look forward to Week 1 in São Paulo.”

For YouTube, the moment is equally significant. “Last year, people spent over 350 million hours watching official NFL content on YouTube,” said Mary Ellen Coe, chief business officer of YouTube. “Streaming the Friday night game to fans for free around the world will mark YouTube’s first time as a live NFL broadcaster – and we’ll do it in a way that only YouTube can, with an interactive viewing experience and creators right at the center.”

The NFL’s growing emphasis on international fan engagement is evident with its return to Brazil, following a strong reception during previous games. Corinthians Arena, known for its electric energy and passionate football fans, will serve as a dynamic backdrop for this season-opening showdown.

But the Brazil game is only the beginning of a broader initiative. The NFL and YouTube also announced a multi-year deal to co-host the Super Bowl Flag Football game featuring digital creators and musical artists. This collaboration follows the overwhelming success of the Super Bowl LIX Flag Football Game, which garnered more than six million live views on YouTube.

Under the new agreement, YouTube and the NFL will also introduce additional international flag football games, reinforcing the NFL’s mission to make American football more accessible and engaging to younger and more global audiences. These games will include participation from social media influencers, athletes, and entertainers—blending sports with digital culture.

Since 2023, YouTube and YouTube TV have been the official home of NFL Sunday Ticket, allowing fans to watch all out-of-market Sunday regular season games from CBS and FOX. With flexible access on mobile, TV, and online platforms, this service has dramatically expanded fan access and personalized game-day experiences.

The NFL’s digital evolution has been years in the making. Since launching its official YouTube channel in 2015, the NFL has amassed over 14 million subscribers, becoming one of the most followed sports entities online. Fans now enjoy everything from game highlights and day-of coverage to exclusive behind-the-scenes content and original series.

The NFL’s forward-thinking digital strategy is underscored by a key metric: NFL programming accounted for 90 of the top 100 most-watched U.S. broadcasts in 2024. In the eyes of media executives and marketers alike, the NFL remains the gold standard in sports entertainment—and this latest move onto YouTube solidifies that dominance in the digital space.

What This Means for Fans and the Industry:

  • Free Global Access: The Week 1 game will be free to stream worldwide (with some regional exceptions) via YouTube and YouTube TV.

  • First-Ever YouTube NFL Broadcast: This marks YouTube’s debut as a live game broadcaster for the NFL.

  • Expanded International Presence: São Paulo hosts the first 2025 International Game, bringing American football to a global stage.

  • Innovative Viewing Experiences: Interactive features and content creators will be part of the broadcast, enhancing engagement.

  • Flag Football Expansion: New creator-driven flag football games, including around the Super Bowl, are set to launch under the new YouTube-NFL deal.

Fans can tune in to NFL Network, NFL.com, the NFL app, and NFL+ on May 14 at 8 p.m. ET for the official schedule release, including the announcement of the Chargers’ Week 1 opponent.

For more information, follow @NFLMedia on X and Instagram or visit media.nfl.com.

Report David Rosales

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