The National Football League revealed Friday that Dallas and Baltimore will clash in the organization’s inaugural game held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
While Dallas had been confirmed for this international matchup back in February, the league waited until now to announce their opponent and the specific timing. The contest is set for Sunday, September 27, with a 4:25 p.m. Eastern kickoff at the famous Maracana Stadium. Fans can watch the action on CBS, Paramount+, and through the NFL+ application.
The historic Maracana venue, which seats 78,000 spectators, previously served as the backdrop for World Cup soccer competitions and both opening and closing ceremonies during the 2016 Olympics. League officials had earlier designated Rio as a key international destination, committing to stage a minimum of three regular-season contests there over the coming five years.
“The international expansion of our great game has been remarkable,” Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti stated in an official announcement. “South America is home to some of the world’s most passionate sports fans, including our Ravens Flock in Brazil. We look forward to playing in the iconic Maracana Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys, as our league continues to engage with fans across the globe.”
Brazil first welcomed NFL action in 2024, with subsequent Sao Paulo matchups in 2025 and 2026 taking place on Friday during the opening week of the season. Philadelphia defeated Green Bay in Sao Paulo during 2024, while Los Angeles beat Kansas City at Corinthians Arena this past season.
According to Friday’s announcement, Brazil boasts more than 36 million NFL supporters.
“Playing in the legendary Maracana Stadium against the Ravens in front of such a passionate and growing fan base on a global stage will be very special for our team, our entire Cowboys organization and the millions watching back home and around the world,” Dallas owner, president and general manager Jerry Jones commented in the official statement.
The 2026 season will feature a record-breaking nine international contests spanning four continents, seven nations and eight venues. The participating cities include London, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Munich, Paris and Rio de Janeiro.
San Francisco will meet Los Angeles at Melbourne Cricket Ground for the NFL’s Australian debut, though additional pairings remain unannounced. The 49ers are also scheduled to compete in Mexico City at Estadio Banorte.
This fall will see the league’s Paris premiere when New Orleans takes the field at Stade de France Stadium. Atlanta is slated for action in Madrid at Bernabeu Stadium, while Detroit will compete at FC Bayern Munich Stadium in Germany.
Jacksonville will serve as the designated home team for two London contests this season. These games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium will occur during back-to-back October weeks. The Jaguars received a second international game due to ongoing construction work at their home EverBank Stadium.
The league also confirmed that Washington will host a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
