The Vikings Won’t Play Any International Games in 2023
Josh Frey
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The NFL is easily the biggest sporting league in the United States of America, drawing in numbers on a weekly basis that dwarf those of other leagues across the country. Over the years, the NFL has made attempts to bring their product to other countries as well, particularly in London, England.
2023 is no different as on Wednesday morning, the NFL released the matchups of five international games for this upcoming season that will take place in London, England, as well as Frankfurt, Germany. Unfortunately, though, for all the international Vikings fans out there, the Minnesota Vikings won’t play in any international games this year.
Since the International Series began back in 2007, the Vikings have played a total of three games overseas, all in London. They have gone 3-0 in those games, with ‘road’ victories over the Cleveland Browns in 2017 and New Orleans Saints in 2022 as well as a ‘home’ victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013.
Here are the matchups for all the international games in 2023:
- October 1st: Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley Stadium, London; England)
- October 8th: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills (Tottenham Hotspur, London; England)
- October 15th: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans (Tottenham Hotspur; London, England)
- November 5th: Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Frankfurt Stadium; Frankfurt, Germany)
- November 12th: Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots (Frankfurt Stadium; Frankfurt, Germany)
As you’ve probably noticed based on that list above, the Jacksonville Jaguars will play in London during consecutive weeks during the 2023 season, playing the roles of both a home team and a road team during that stretch. It is the first time in NFL history that a team will play international games in back-to-back weeks.
The Vikings could very well be back in the International Series next fall, but we will have to wait and see when that schedule gets released. It also must be noted that, since the NFL rolled out the 17-game schedule in 2021, all 32 teams will host an international game every eight years.
Since the Vikings were the road team against the Saints in 2022, they are yet to host such a game since this rule came out. 2024 will be the fourth year of the cycle, so with every year that goes by, the odds continue to grow that Minnesota will play a home game outside of U.S. Bank Stadium.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.