Eagles Vs. Packers In Brazil: TV, Kickoff, Odds, Security Concerns

SÃO PAOLO, BRAZIL — The clock is ticking down to kickoff of the most anticipated and unique Eagles season opener in history, as they'll travel to São Paulo, Brazil to battle the Green Bay Packers on Friday night.

Here's what to know about the game.

TV, time, location essentials

In the Philadelphia area, the game will be broadcast on NBC. Outside of the local area, the game will only be available on streaming through Peacock.

Kickoff is at 6:15 p.m. eastern time. São Paulo is one hour ahead of east coast time, so it will be played at 7:15 p.m. local time.

It will take place in Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, also known as Neo Quimica arena. It is primarily a soccer stadium which was also at the center of the world stage when it hosted the 2014 World Cup.

The matchup will count as a home game for the Birds.

Tradition

That the first NFL game ever in South America will be held on Friday night is likely no coincidence.

Friday night football is how every young player grows up, from the pee wee level through high school and college. It marks formative memories for all players and coaches who came up in the United States, and in a unique way, it's only fitting that the first ever South American NFL game should be so steeped in the fundamentals of amateur tradition.

"That gives me goosebumps to think about," Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told members of the media during a briefing Tuesday morning. "Friday night football is what we all first (experienced)...This is why we fell in love with this game."

Related: 'Gives Me Goosebumps': Sirianni Fired Up Before Eagles Historic Brazil Opener

Outlook and odds

The Birds were on top of the world midway through last season, starting off 10-1 and holding the NFL's best record for weeks.

Then they plummeted, losing five of their last six games to limp to an 11-6 record and a Wild Card spot. They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

They made numerous offseason improvements, adding former Giants superstar running back Saquon Barkley and former New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff. They'll be without franchise icon and future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce, who announced his retirement over the summer.

Related: Eagles Sign Ex-Giants Star Running Back Saquon Barkley

All things told, most think the Birds are better than they finished last season, but very few believe they are quite as good as they began. Still, after a recent Super Bowl run, expectations are sky high for this squad.

NFL.com has the Eagles listed as fifth in the league in their preseason power rankings, noting that perhaps no squad (or coach, in Nick Sirianni) faces more pressure to reach at least the conference championship game.

They are 2.5 point favorites to win over the Packers in Brazil, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Security

Brazil says they have increased security around the stadium leading up to the game, apparently in response to some player concerns about the crime rate in the city and country, ESPN reports.

A Sports Illustrated report indicates the NFL has told players that besides the game, they should not leave their hotel rooms or respond to text messages.

The reaction has drawn sharp criticism from two ends of the spectrum: fans and critics who feel that the NFL and the players are very out of touch with a more nuanced in reality in Brazil, and those angered by the NFL purportedly putting players at risk by sending them somewhere dangerous.

Uniforms

Last week, the Birds announced special new uniforms for the game: a black helmet, white jersey, black pants, and white socks, in a combination that marks a nod to the local soccer team.

Tickets and more

Tickets are currently on sale on StubHub for $169.

The Eagles previously marketed fan packages that feature chances to win special on and off field experiences and couple the game with tourism around Brazil. The deposit for the package was $500.

Why the Birds?

Not once in the last 50 years has the NFL kicked its season in this manner, so the game marks yet another marketing twist from a league that has been positively antsy to reinvent itself over the past several years.

But it still begs the question: why the Eagles? The Chiefs are on top of the world, the Niners and Lions and Ravens and Bills have the momentum of recent success, the Cowboys and Patriots have more name recognition, and the lone Brazilian-born NFL player, Cairo Santos, is a kicker for the Chicago Bears. So why?

Recovering from a brutal end to a 2023 season that saw the Eagles fall precipitously from Super Bowl favorites to a first round playoff exit, the exciting though strange news may be the only thing to shake Birds fans from post-playoffs ennui.

Of course, the Eagles are from Philadelphia, emblematic of America, and drew some international recognition for both of their recent Super Bowl runs.

"The Eagles organization is honored to have been selected to play in the first-ever National Football League game in South America," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "With the global growth of our sport being a top priority to our league, we embrace the opportunity to grow our fanbase around the world and bring Eagles football to the 38 million sports fans in Brazil. One of the world's most culturally diverse nations, Brazil is an international melting pot, and we look forward to experiencing its warm, vibrant, and welcoming environment later this year."

The Eagles have played one previous overseas game, a win over Jacksonville in London in 2018.