The Dallas Cowboys haven’t played a game outside the United States since 2014, when they took care of the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. But that international dry spell looks like it’s finally coming to an end-and not because the Cowboys are chasing global exposure. This time, it’s the NFL’s rules that are calling the shots.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently acknowledged that Dallas is likely heading overseas next season, and his preferred destination? Mexico. Speaking after the team’s 34-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Jones made it clear that the league’s international mandate is catching up to the Cowboys.
Let’s break this down. Back in 2022, the NFL implemented a policy requiring every team to participate in at least one international game every eight years.
It’s part of the league’s broader push to grow the game globally, and most franchises have already taken their turn. But Dallas-along with Detroit, Cincinnati, Houston, and Las Vegas-hasn’t yet made that trip under the new rule.
That makes the Cowboys one of the last holdouts, and the clock is ticking.
Now, you might be wondering: why has a team as high-profile as the Cowboys managed to avoid international duty for this long? The answer lies in the business side of the game.
Dallas is a marquee draw-arguably the biggest brand in football-and that makes them a hot ticket for home teams. Opponents scheduled to host the Cowboys have often refused to give up those matchups, preferring to keep the revenue and energy that comes with a packed home stadium when Dallas rolls into town.
That dynamic has shielded the Cowboys from being sent abroad as a visiting team. But it also means the only realistic path forward is for Dallas to serve as the designated home team in an international game. And under the current structure, that’s no longer optional.
Jones didn’t mince words about the situation. He pointed out that teams like the Cowboys, who bring in massive TV ratings and stadium crowds wherever they go, are uniquely impacted by the rule.
Hosting the Cowboys is a money-maker, and most teams aren’t eager to pass that up. But with the league now enforcing the eight-year rule, Dallas can’t sidestep it much longer.
So where might the Cowboys end up playing? Mexico City is high on the list-Jones has long been vocal about the team’s popularity south of the border, and it’s a logical fit given the Cowboys’ strong fan base in Mexico. Several European cities are also in play, and there’s even been chatter about a potential matchup in Melbourne, Australia, possibly against the Los Angeles Rams.
Wherever the destination, one thing’s clear: the Cowboys are heading back to the international stage, and soon. It’s a move that’s been a long time coming-not just for the league’s global ambitions, but for a franchise that’s built its brand on being America’s Team. Now, they’re about to become a little more international, too.