NFL views Spain as the next city in Europe to host a future game

Spain is a strong contender to be the next international host of a regular-season NFL game and it could happen as soon as 2024.

The league is holding five games in Europe this season — three in London followed by two in Germany — and has targeted Spain and France as the next European destinations as it aggressively tries to expand its international footprint.

"We're certainly looking at the viability of places such as Spain and France in Europe," Brett Gosper, NFL Head of Europe and UK, told The Associated Press in an interview. "That's why we're always firsthand looking at stadia and cities if they align with our strategic objectives in those markets."

Brazil is among other countries that the league has identified as potential hosts. ESPN reported Sunday that the league has sent officials to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, as well as to Madrid, to gather information.

When asked if next season is viable for a new city, Gosper said: "We don't have enough information to say that with full confidence yet. We're examining that possibility along with years beyond that."

Stadium availability pushes France — Paris specifically — below Spain at the moment. Paris is hosting the 2024 Olympics.

"If you are talking France, you've got the Olympics, you've got a little bit of uncertainty around licensing and leasing of the Stade de France, which would be the key stadium in France," Gosper said.

"So probably Spain has the edge in terms of the practicalities that we're looking at currently."

Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is nearly done with major renovations that include a soccer pitch that retracts to make way for an artificial turf field that can be used for American football with a capacity over 80,000.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which has a long-term deal with the NFL to host London games, has a similar system.

Atlético Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium seats 68,000.

"We're certainly having a close look at all stadia across Spain and other markets. There's the Bernabéu, but there are other options as well," Gosper said.

Barcelona's Camp Nou is Europe's largest soccer stadium but it is undergoing renovations.