While the NFL Draft dominates the headlines around the oval leather, the NFL has announced who the Dallas Cowboys will face in the venerable Maracana Stadium.
The choice fell on the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson’s team missed the NFL playoffs last year, but the team is still considered one of the top teams in the league.
The game will take place on September 27, 2026 in the traditional Maracana. The stadium holds over 78,000 spectators and is known worldwide – including as the venue for the 1950 and 2014 World Cup finals as well as the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games. The game is scheduled for 10:25 p.m. German time.
The Cowboys will be on the field as the official home team for an international NFL game for the first time. It is also their first game outside the USA since 2014.
For Baltimore, it is only the third game abroad in the 31-year history of the franchise. The previous performances took place in London.
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NFL continues to expand global presence
The game in Rio is part of the league’s ever-growing international strategy. The NFL will be visiting Brazil for the third time in a row – previously games took place in São Paulo.
| country | City | stadium | Participating teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Melbourne | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers |
| Brazil | Rio de Janeiro | Maracana | Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens |
| Germany | Munich | Allianz Arena | Detroit Lions |
| Great Britain | London | Wembley | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Great Britain | London | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | Washington Commander |
| Great Britain | London | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Spain | Madrid | Santiago Bernabeu | Atlanta Falcons |
| France | Paris | Stadium de France | New Orleans Saints |
| Mexico | Mexico City | Estadio Banorte | San Francisco 49ers |
In 2026, the NFL will set a new record with nine international games on four continents.
