Back to Updates
Dallas Cowboys to Play in First-Ever Game in Rio de Janeiro in 2026
The Dallas Cowboys will be one of the participating teams for the 2026 NFL Rio game to be played at the Maracanã Stadium. The game in Rio will be part of an NFL record nine international games in 2026 across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums.
Learn more about NFL’s International Series.
“We are proud to welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Brazil for the first‑ever NFL game in Rio de Janeiro,” said NFL Brazil General Manager Luis Martinez. “Introducing one of the League’s most iconic teams to the Maracanã Stadium marks a powerful milestone in the continued growth of the sport worldwide. Bringing a regular-season game to Rio strengthens our connection to a vibrant and passionate football community and underscores our long‑term commitment to the market.”
The Cowboys’ opponent, along with date, kickoff time and ticket information will be announced at a later date. Fans interested in the 2026 game in Rio can visit nfl.com/Rio or follow NFL Brazil on Instagram, X and TikTok to stay updated on all the latest news and information.
Brazil is home to more than 36 million NFL fans and is one of the League’s most significant international markets. The announcement follows the NFL’s multi-year commitment to bring at least three regular-season games to Rio de Janeiro over the next five years, reinforcing the League’s long-term investment in Brazil.‑term investment in Brazil.
In addition to regular season games, the NFL is committed to growing the game at every level in Brazil, engaging with fans year-round through partners, programs and initiatives including NFL Flag and community events. NFL Flag now engages thousands of young players across Brazil, reflecting efforts to boost participation and inspire future athletes as flag football makes its Olympic debut at LA28.
Learn more about the international growth of flag football.
The NFL has played two regular season games in Brazil:
|
Date |
Team |
Score |
Team |
Score |
Stadium |
Attendance |
|
2024 |
Green Bay Packers |
29 |
Philadelphia Eagles |
34 |
Corinthians Arena |
47,236 |
|
2025 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
21 |
Los Angeles Chargers |
27 |
Corinthians Arena |
47,627 |
Sixty-two regular-season NFL games have been played outside the United States with London, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, São Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto having hosted games to date.
2026 NFL International Markets:
- London (Two games in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, One in Wembley Stadium)
- Madrid (Bernabéu Stadium)
- Melbourne, Australia* (Melbourne Cricket Ground)
- Mexico City (Estadio Banorte)
- Munich (FC Bayern Munich Arena)
- Paris* (Stade de France Stadium)
- Rio de Janeiro* (Maracanã Stadium)
* designates a new market/city for 2026
NFL Football Operations’ mission is to establish a culture of clarity, consistency and credibility in all aspects of the greatest game. Football is an essential piece of America’s fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. We honor the game’s history while continuing to innovate and preserve the sport for future generations of fans, players, coaches, teams and officials.
© 2026 National Football League. All rights reserved.