The National Football League (NFL) are accelerating plans to host a regular season game in Brazil with Arena Corinthians, home to the top flight soccer side Corinthians, in São Paulo having been marked as first choice, according to UOL.

Akash Jain, the NFL’s vice president of international commercial development, has visited three potential stadiums in São Paulo, according to local officials.

Allianz Park, home to soccer outfit Palmeiras, and the Pacaembu Stadium, which is used by multiple clubs and to host concerts, were apparently surveyed by Jain but Arena Corinthians has emerged as the NFL’s first choice.

The 49,000 capacity of Arena Corinthians and the large open spaces surrounding the stadium seem to have caught Jain’s eye. The NFL is reportedly keen on these spaces for sponsorship activations, similar to those found in the US and other International Series games such as London and Mexico City.

Orlando Faria, São Paulo’s tourism secretary, told UOL: “[Jain] told us that he came to São Paulo without any commitment, but that he left here with work to do.”

There is still the potential for the Morumbi Stadium, home to São Paulo FC, to enter the running as Jain did not visit the site, according to Faria.

Brazil is the NFL’s third largest consumer and the public appetite for the country to host a game is growing.

Bruno Covas, the mayor of São Paulo, has said in the past that he wants to bring the NFL to the city before the end of his mandate in 2020.

The International Series, which has proven to be hugely popular since its launch in 2007, will see four games played in London this year and one in Mexico.

Two games will be played at Wembley and two at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, whilst the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will also host a game.