Green Bay Packers in Brazil: How Harry Styles and Aaron Rodgers Inspired the ‘Green’ Connection Ahead of Sao Paolo International Game vs Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL is coming to South America! While the Philadelphia Eagles were set to start the 2024 season in Sao Paulo, Brazil, their opponents have finally been revealed. The Birds will be facing Aaron Rodgers‘ previous home, the Green Bay Packers.

In the league’s first game on the continent, Brazil will be flooded with the color green as the two iconic franchises play against each other after two years. While soccer has been synonymous with the land, having produced legends like Pele and Neymar Jr., a new buzz has abounded lately: the American flavor!

NFL debuts in South America amid growing love for football in Brazil

The league’s recent success with the exhilarating Super Bowl has been no secret. However, what might come as a surprise to many is the massive surge in popularity outside America. Brazil is home to 38 million NFL fans and 2.5 million SB viewers in 2024, becoming the third-largest international fanbase in the world, as per the Brazilian Report.

With this recent rocketing of American football in the country, the league decided to reciprocate the love. On September 6, the regular season of 2024 will commence at the Neo Química Arena, located in São Paulo and home to the soccer club Corinthians. While the Eagles are already a historic franchise, well suited to debuting in the league in South America, the announcement of the Packers added a new layer of excitement to the event. As revealed by SPTuris President Gustavo Pires, the Brazilians have a special bond with Gang Green.

“In addition to being one of the biggest franchises in the history of the NFL, the Green Bay Packers are one of the most popular clubs here in Brazil,” he said, as per the NFL. “We are delighted to provide these fans the opportunity to see their favorite team live in São Paulo.”

So how did the Brazilians become avid fans of an international sport, and where does the love for Green Bay stem from? The answer is more interesting than you might expect!

Brazil’s multifold connection with the Green Bay Packers

The history of the influence of the Packers on boosting the NFL’s popularity in Brazil goes way back. Last year, Felipe Reis, a journalist from Zone Coverage, highlighted the team’s significant resonance across Brazil and wondered the effect the synergy would have if the team made efforts to engage with their international fans. It’s almost as if he predicted the union!

With streets named after Packers’ renowned coaches like Vince Lombardi, Mike Holmgren, and Bart Starr, the franchise truly has a special place in the heart of the nation. It’s also watching fabled players like Brett Favre and former quarterback Rodgers, which keeps the passion alive in the fans. Finally, how can we miss the iconic colors? Seeing players draped in their flag’s colors of green and gold across the world certainly fosters a feeling of oneness and harmony. But there’s another angle to add to the twist!

Harry Styles’ 2022 concert in Rio de Janeiro was met with unprecedented excitement, sold-out stadiums, and a fair bit of chaos. The immensely loved singer happens to have two tattoos that the Brazilians couldn’t help but adore, one reading “Brasil!” on his thigh and a “G” logo depicting his favorite team on his arm. The pop star has been an avid fan of the team since he played Madden, and the connection further strengthens the interwoven love between the Packers and Brazil.

As Green Bay and Philadelphia prepare to face each other on the gridiron, sports fans in Brazil will see the debut of the league in their country, this time showing love to the American kind of football!

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