The NFL’s international footprint just got a little bigger - again.
On Monday, the league confirmed it will return to Mexico City in 2026, with a game scheduled at the iconic Estadio Azteca, now rebranded as Estadio Banorte. The teams haven’t been named yet - that announcement’s coming later this spring - but the destination is locked in, and it’s a familiar one. Mexico’s capital has long been a favorite for NFL fans south of the border, and the league clearly sees the value in keeping that relationship going strong.
This addition brings the NFL’s 2026 international slate to nine games, spanning the globe like never before. In total, games are set for Mexico, Australia (with the Los Angeles Rams heading Down Under), Brazil, Germany, Spain, France (where the New Orleans Saints will play), and three in England. That’s a serious expansion effort - and it’s far from the endgame.
Commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear during his Monday press conference that the league’s long-term vision is even more ambitious: 16 international games per season. That would mean every team plays abroad each year, with half of them serving as the designated “home” team. It’s a bold plan, but one that fits the NFL’s steady push to globalize the sport.
The framework for this expansion has been in place since 2022, when the league announced that every team would “host” an international game at least once every eight years. For the Denver Broncos, that clock is ticking - they’ll need to host one by the 2028 season.
And when it comes to potential destinations, the dots connect pretty clearly. The NFL encourages teams to play their international “home” games in their designated global markets - and for the Broncos, that market is Mexico. So while nothing’s official yet, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Denver eventually play a home game at Estadio Banorte.
Looking at the 2026 schedule, there’s even a chance the Broncos could make their Mexico City appearance sooner - not as a host, but as the visiting team. The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals both hold international marketing rights in Mexico and are scheduled to host Denver in 2026. Either matchup could be a natural fit for the Mexico City game.
The Rams, who are set to play in Australia, are also on the Broncos’ 2026 opponent list, adding another layer of international intrigue to Denver’s upcoming schedule. The Saints, who will represent the league in France, aren’t on the Broncos’ docket - but with so many moving pieces, there’s still plenty to sort out.
As of now, the NFL hasn’t announced the “host” teams for the games in Mexico, Brazil, Germany, England, or Spain. But with the league clearly committed to spreading the game globally - and teams like the Broncos on the clock to fulfill their international obligations - we’re going to see more franchises packing their bags and heading overseas.
The NFL’s international push isn’t just about branding or market expansion. It’s about building a global fanbase and creating marquee matchups in new, energized environments. And with nine games already on the books for 2026 - and more likely on the horizon - the league’s vision of a truly international season is starting to take shape.