The NFL is heading to Rio, and it's bringing one of its biggest names with it.
The league announced that the Dallas Cowboys - yes, America’s Team - will play in the first-ever regular-season NFL game in Rio de Janeiro in 2026. The game will be held at the legendary Maracanã Stadium, Brazil’s largest and most iconic sports venue. While the opponent and exact date are still under wraps, the headline here is clear: the Cowboys are going global in a big way.
This will mark the Cowboys' first international appearance in over a decade. The last time they took their talents overseas was back in 2014, when they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-17 at Wembley Stadium in London. A lot has changed since then - both for the Cowboys and for the NFL’s international strategy.
NFL Brazil General Manager Luis Martinez called the Cowboys' arrival in Brazil a “powerful milestone” - and he’s not wrong. The Cowboys aren’t just a football team; they’re a global brand.
Putting them on the field at Maracanã is a statement. It’s about more than just one game - it’s about expanding the NFL’s footprint in one of the most passionate sports countries in the world.
“Bringing a regular-season game to Rio strengthens our connection to a vibrant and passionate football community,” Martinez said. “It underscores our long-term commitment to the market.”
The NFL has already dipped its toes into Brazil’s football waters. Over the past two seasons, São Paulo played host to two international matchups: the Packers vs.
Eagles in 2024, and the Chiefs vs. Chargers in 2025.
Both games were held at Corinthians Arena and drew strong local interest. But now, with the spotlight shifting to Rio and a team like the Cowboys involved, the league is clearly ready to take things to the next level.
Commissioner Roger Goodell echoed that sentiment earlier this year, calling Rio “one of the world’s most iconic cities” and highlighting the league’s desire to deepen its ties with fans across Brazil and South America. And let’s be honest - there are millions of them. The NFL’s popularity in Brazil has been steadily growing, and this game is the kind of marquee moment that can supercharge that growth.
As it stands, the 2026 NFL season is shaping up to be the most internationally ambitious yet. The league has eight games scheduled outside the U.S., including stops in Australia, Germany, France, Spain, the U.K., and now Brazil. That’s not just a tour - that’s a global campaign.
But make no mistake: the Cowboys playing in Rio is the headline. It’s the kind of matchup that turns casual fans into diehards. It’s a cultural crossover, a celebration of football on a truly international stage, and a reminder that the NFL isn’t just exporting games - it’s building a global community.
So, while we wait to find out who the Cowboys will face at Maracanã, one thing’s already clear: 2026 is going to be a landmark year for football in Brazil. And when the Cowboys take the field in Rio, they won’t just be representing Dallas - they’ll be representing the next chapter of the NFL’s international story.