Robert Kraft wants NFL to go to 18-game schedule — with one radical change for all teams

Robert Kraft has his eye on global domination… and a longer NFL season. 

The Patriots’ owner said in a radio interview on Tuesday that the league would “push like the Dickens” to make international games more important. 

“Every team will go to 18 [regular season games] and two [preseason games] and eliminate one of the preseason games. Every team, every year, will play one game overseas,” Kraft said on “Zolak & Bertrand” on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston. 

Patriots owner Robert Kraft speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the sideline during pregame warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The reasoning behind the greater importance of playing international games is to generate more revenue and maintain labor peace, at least according to the Pats owner.

“Part of the reason is so we can continue to grow the cap and keep our labor happy, because we’re sort of getting near the top here,” Kraft said from Gillette Stadium. “… Ninety-three of the top 100 programs on television are NFL games, think about that. It’s really amazing. And you look at the size of our crowds versus the other sports.

“As long as we can keep growing revenue, we can keep long-term labor peace.”

The NFL has not been shy about its ambitions to make the sport a global game and has been increasing the number of contests that are played on foreign soil. 

Roger Goodell’s league played seven games overseas in 2025, with games taking place in Brazil, Ireland, England, Germany and Spain. 

It had been reported last year that the number of international games could go up to nine in 2026. 

In order for the increase in games, the NFL Players Association would have to sign off on it in the next CBA. 

The current CBA, which added the 17th regular-season game, was part of the 2020 CBA that went into effect in 2021 and runs through 2031.