In a quiet SoFi boardroom far from the roar of the stadium, a decision was made—not with pads or playbooks, but with pens and profit margins. While most franchises would leap at the chance to host Patrick Mahomes in prime-time lights at home, Jim Harbaugh‘s Chargers had something else in mind. The Chiefs game could’ve packed the stands in Los Angeles. Instead, they may be packing their bags for São Paulo.
Since Roger Goodell took over as NFL Commissioner, the league’s international ambitions have grown rapidly. From annual games in London to ventures into Germany and Mexico, the NFL has steadily expanded its global footprint. But the 2025 season is set to raise the stakes further—with scheduled games in Brazil, Ireland, Germany, Spain, and three in the UK.
Last year, the Green Bay Packers clashed with the Philadelphia Eagles to open the season in Rio de Janeiro. This time around, the international spotlight will once again shine on Brazil—specifically São Paulo. And leading the charge? Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers.
According to early reports, the Chargers are slated to play in the NFL’s 2025 international season opener on September 5, 2025. While the official opponent hasn’t been announced yet, all signs point toward a major showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. But here’s the twist: the Chargers had the power to keep that matchup at home—and passed.
Per ProFootballTalk, the Chargers chose not to use one of their two allowable protections to keep the Chiefs game in Los Angeles. Teams can protect up to two home games from being exported to the NFL’s international series. Instead, Harbaugh and his staff reportedly chose to protect matchups with less frequent opponents, likely teams like the Steelers, Commanders, and Eagles, who don’t rotate into SoFi Stadium often.
The Chargers could have protected their home game against the Chiefs from being sent to Brazil for Week 1. They opted to use their two available protections for non-AFC West games. https://t.co/zDYXie1oEe
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 12, 2025
According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, “The specific two the Chargers protected haven’t been identified. It doesn’t matter. If the report that it will be the Chiefs is accurate, the Chiefs game goes to São Paulo, and the other eight (Steelers, Eagles, Commanders, Texans, Colts, Vikings, Raiders, and Broncos) will stay at SoFi.” So, it would appear the Chargers are likely to play the Chiefs on foreign soil (or grass, shall we say).
Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers want a change
According to Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer and Austin Karp, the Chargers did not protect any of their three AFC West home games—meaning the Raiders, Broncos, and Chiefs matchups were all eligible for export. But from a league optics and business perspective, a Mahomes vs. Harbaugh matchup makes perfect sense for Brazil’s debut game of 2025.
The last time Kansas City played an international game was in Mexico back in 2019. They’ve also played in Germany. While some fans may have assumed the Chiefs’ globe-trotting days were behind them, it looks like they’re about to head even further south—to the heart of South America.
The São Paulo showdown would not just be a football spectacle—it’s also a lucrative opportunity. YouTube TV, Amazon, and Warner Bros. Discovery are reportedly battling for broadcasting rights, making this potentially the most-watched opening matchup of the season.
The Harbaugh era kicked off with a postseason appearance for the Chargers, who are yet to win a Lombardi. If the Chiefs are confirmed as their opponent, it will mark the start of the second season in his charge with a high-voltage global statement. Whether the motivation was marketing, money, or momentum, one thing is clear: Jim Harbaugh isn’t just coaching a football team—he’s helping position the Chargers as a global brand.
Now, all that’s left is the confirmation. Will Mahomes really open his season under the São Paulo sun? The world is watching.
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