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The Kansas City Chiefs will begin their title defense in a unique setting, as they face the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil, to kick off the 2025 NFL season. The game, scheduled for Friday, September 5, at Arena Corinthians, marks the first time an NFL regular-season game will be played in South America. Instead of playing at SoFi Stadium-where the Chiefs have historically dominated-Patrick Mahomes and his team will take the field in an international primetime showdown that will stream live on YouTube.
While NFL officials see the Brazil opener as an opportunity to expand the league's global footprint, not all players seem thrilled about the move. Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce made headlines when he voiced concerns about playing in the South American heat during his New Heights podcast. Comparing the conditions to Jacksonville's notorious humidity in early fall, Kelce joked about needing multiple jerseys, pants, and cleats to withstand the conditions. However, he later walked back his comments, apologizing and expressing excitement for the matchup while acknowledging his struggles with extreme heat.
The game itself serves as a landmark moment for the NFL's push into Latin America, where the sport has seen significant growth. With Brazil home to more than 36 million football fans-the second-largest international NFL fan base behind Mexico-the league aims to further establish itself in the region. The Chargers will serve as the designated home team, marking their first international game since 2019.
Now everyone talks about this
Meanwhile, an unexpected subplot surrounding Kelce became a viral sensation. After photos of the veteran tight end shirtless during a workout in Miami surfaced online, social media buzzed about his back hair, earning him lighthearted commentary from fans and even fellow NFL players. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins jokingly referenced Kelce's relationship with pop star Taylor Swift, quipping, "God bless Taylor for being good with that." Some fans were amused by the discussion, while others found it baffling that the topic was making headlines.
Despite off-field distractions, the Chiefs-Chargers season opener promises to deliver high-level football. Mahomes and Justin Herbert will battle for AFC West supremacy in front of a Brazilian crowd eager to experience the intensity of an NFL game firsthand. The Chiefs have historically fared well against the Chargers, holding an undefeated 4-0 record at SoFi Stadium, but the unfamiliar territory adds intrigue to the matchup.
With the NFL continuing to expand its reach beyond the United States, the season opener in São Paulo could set a precedent for future international games. As football fever sweeps across Brazil, all eyes will be on Mahomes and company as they look to start their campaign on a winning note in a landmark moment for the league.