The Atlanta Falcons' 2025 season isn’t officially over on the calendar-but on the field, it’s a different story. The unraveling began back in Week 9, when they let a winnable game against the Patriots slip away.
And any lingering hopes were effectively stamped out when rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. went down with another significant injury. That moment didn’t just sting-it signaled the end of whatever momentum Atlanta had left.
Now, with just a few bright spots to hang their helmets on-namely Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and a couple of rookie pass rushers who’ve shown real promise-it’s clear this team is heading into another long winter. And the challenges ahead are steep.
The Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick? That’s in the hands of the Los Angeles Rams.
Kirk Cousins’ contract? Still very much on the books.
And head coach Raheem Morris? Let’s just say his seat isn’t just hot-it’s practically molten.
It’s the kind of situation where a full-scale reset feels less like a possibility and more like an inevitability. But amid the frustration and looming offseason questions, there is at least one headline worth circling for the future: the Falcons are going international.
Falcons to Host an International Game in 2026
According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Falcons are set to host an international game during the 2026 regular season. Details like the opponent, location, and date are still under wraps, but it’s a notable development for a franchise that could use a fresh storyline.
International games have become a staple of the NFL calendar-part spectacle, part marketing push, and part test of endurance for the players involved. They bring a unique energy, often turning otherwise routine matchups into global showcases.
But they’re not without their challenges. The travel, time zone adjustments, and unfamiliar environments can be taxing on teams.
And for fans back home, tuning in to a Sunday morning kickoff isn’t always ideal.
Still, for a team like Atlanta, which is trying to reconnect with its identity and fanbase, the international spotlight could offer a welcome change of pace.
The Falcons are no strangers to the global stage. Just last month, they squared off against the Indianapolis Colts at Berlin’s Olympiastadion in Week 10. It was a hard-fought game that went to overtime, but Atlanta came up just short against a Colts squad that had been leading the AFC at the time.
Germany has become something of a second home for the Falcons, thanks to the NFL’s Global Markets Program. Atlanta holds international marketing rights in Germany, and with the league already confirmed to be returning to Munich next season, it’s reasonable to expect the Falcons will be back there in 2026-though likely in a different city this time around.
So, who might they face?
Looking at the Falcons’ 2026 home opponents and cross-referencing them with other teams that also hold marketing rights in Germany, two potential matchups stand out: the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions.
Now, it’s worth noting that the NFL tends to avoid scheduling divisional games-like Falcons vs. Panthers-at international venues.
Those matchups carry too much weight in the standings, and the league generally prefers to keep them stateside. That leaves the Lions as a logical and intriguing candidate.
A Falcons-Lions clash in Munich? That’s a matchup that could generate real buzz, especially if Detroit continues its upward trajectory.
But of course, nothing is set in stone. There’s always the possibility Atlanta ends up playing in London, or even in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is emerging as the NFL’s next international frontier.
Wherever the game lands, and whoever lines up across from them, one thing is clear: the Falcons will be part of a global showcase in 2026. And while it may not fix the on-field issues or ease the sting of a lost season, it does offer fans something to look forward to-a rare spotlight moment for a team that’s desperately in need of one.
For now, the Falcons’ focus will remain on finishing out 2025 with whatever pride and development they can muster. But come 2026, they’ll be packing their bags and heading overseas, bringing Atlanta football to the world stage once again.