São Paulo has increased security measures ahead of the first NFL game in South America, following concerns from players about safety in Brazil. The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers will face off on Friday at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, marking the first NFL game on the continent and the first Week 1 game held on a Friday evening since 1970. Eagles players, including A.J. Brown and Darius Slay Jr., expressed concerns about safety, with Slay advising his family not to travel and apologizing later for any offense caused by his remarks.
The São Paulo state government announced it would deploy specialized civil and military police units to enhance security during the event, covering streets, trains, subway stations, hotels, and tourist spots. The government assured a police escort for the teams from the airport to their accommodations and the stadium, along with pre-game stadium sweeps. While Brazil ranked as the 17th-most dangerous country globally by murder rate in 2023, São Paulo’s local homicide rate is reportedly four times lower than the national average and comparable to California’s. Both teams are set to depart for Brazil on Wednesday.
