🚨 DALLAS COWBOYS SET TO PLAY IN HISTORIC GAME IN RIO DE JANEIRO: NFL’s First Game in Brazil! 👇
In an exciting development for the NFL’s growing international presence, the Dallas Cowboys have been selected to participate in the league’s first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro in 2026. The announcement, made on Thursday, marks a significant milestone in the NFL’s efforts to expand its global reach, with the MaracanĂŁ Stadium — an iconic venue that has hosted World Cup matches and the 2016 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies — set to be the host for this historic game.
A Historic International Event for the Cowboys
The 78,000-seat MaracanĂŁ Stadium will provide a stunning backdrop for this groundbreaking event. The NFL has long been expanding its international footprint, and this game will mark the first time a regular-season game will be played in Brazil. As part of its continued international growth, the NFL has already announced Rio as one of its new international markets. Over the next five years, the league plans to host at least three regular-season games in Brazil.
The Cowboys, one of the league’s most popular teams, will be making history with this trip to Brazil, bringing their star power to South America. Though the exact date and opponent have not been revealed yet, it’s expected that the game will be played early in the 2026 season. As the league has done in previous years, it’s likely to follow a similar pattern to their games in São Paulo, which have been played on Friday of Week 1 in 2025 and 2026.
Building on the NFL’s Success in Brazil
This announcement follows the NFL’s successful venture into Brazil with games in São Paulo in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Green Bay Packers, and in 2025, the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in another exciting matchup. These games were a huge success, drawing fans from across Brazil and beyond, and fueling the excitement for the NFL’s expansion into the country.
A Global Push: New International Series Games
The 2026 season will see the NFL continue its expansion with international games not just in Brazil, but also in Melbourne and Paris for the first time. These games will join the existing series in London, Madrid, Mexico City, and Munich, further solidifying the NFL’s status as a global sport.
Earlier Thursday, the NFL also announced that the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers would be the teams to compete in the first-ever NFL game in Australia in Melbourne. This push for international games shows the NFL’s commitment to broadening its fan base and growing the game worldwide, making it a global spectacle.
What This Means for the Cowboys and the NFL
For the Dallas Cowboys, this game represents an opportunity to expand their global brand, bringing the team’s rich history and star players to fans in Brazil. The Cowboys’ presence in Rio de Janeiro is bound to generate significant excitement, especially considering the team’s massive global fan base. This game will not only be an important moment for the Cowboys but also for the NFL as a whole, as it continues to build relationships with international markets.
As the NFL continues to innovate and expand its presence globally, the 2026 game in Rio will be a highlight, showing the league’s commitment to growing the game beyond its traditional borders. With international games in new locations like Brazil and Australia, the NFL is positioning itself to become a true global sport, and the Cowboys will play a key role in this journey. Stay tuned as more details about the game, including the opponent and exact date, are revealed. One thing is for sure: this historic event will be one for the ages!
