In American football, the 2024 NFL season started on September 5th and fired up fans around the world. Continuing the trend of previous years, the league expects a record number of people to attend and watch games this season.
The NFL brought in an estimated $13 billion in 2023 and expects figures to go higher this year, thanks mainly to broadcasting rights and sponsorships. Stadiums have been packed, and the average per-game turnout exceeded 69,500 fans.
Television ratings have also been solid. The viewership numbers for the season's opening game was 28.9 million people, exceeding last year’s opener. That has ripple effects beyond the league itself, given figures showing that some home matches add about $15 million to the host city's economy through spending on hotels, restaurants, and retail.
Understanding the potential dynamics of the coming year begins with insights from NFL expert picks for the 2024 season, which offers targeted forecasts and analyses of crucial matchups. These expert opinions provided the basis for the upcoming season, which could be hugely unpredictable depending on the results of specific matches.
The most highly anticipated game is the Kansas City Chiefs against the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs enter the season as favourites to win the division behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who passed for 4,813 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just 14 interceptions in 2023. But the Bills remain one of the most ambitious contenders, with their star quarterback, Josh Allen, hoping to dethrone the Chiefs and win the AFC.
Last season was quite successful for both teams—the Chiefs had 13 wins and 4 losses, while the Bills won 12 games and lost 5, so this confrontation will once again be decisive regarding the championship and home-field advantage.
The Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles will renew their bitter NFC East rivalry. The Cowboys, among the most potent offences last season with an average of 29.9 points per game, are up against an Eagles side that has strengthened their defence via some key acquisitions in the offseason.
Both teams were well-matched in their 2023 contests, with each team winning once and losing once when they played each other. The home teams came out on top each time. This season’s meetings could decide who wins the division once again.
Another important set of games in the NFC is when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams to decide the leaders the NFC West. The 49ers, after a series of impactful draft picks—including a standout linebacker expected to enhance their defensive unit—are aiming to overtake the Rams.
The NFL not only portrays football as a sport but also autonomously helps enhance the economies of the hosting cities. Home games and special events like the NFL Draft, hosted by Detroit in 2024, inject substantial revenue into local businesses.
As in previous years, only the draft was expected to attract more than $100 million in sales to the hospitality, restaurant, and entertainment sectors. International games also help the league spread its economic impact across the global market, and there will be more of those this season.
