Cowboys to Play NFL’s First Game in Rio at Maracana

The Dallas Cowboys will play in the NFL's first regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro in 2026. The game takes place at Maracana Stadium, a famous spot known for big soccer events. The league made the announcement this week. The Cowboys will be the home team against an opponent that has not been named yet. This is part of the NFL's push to grow the sport around the world.

Background

The NFL has been playing games outside the United States for years to reach new fans. In Brazil, the league held its first two regular-season games in Sao Paulo. The Green Bay Packers faced the Philadelphia Eagles there in 2024. Then, in 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs played the Los Angeles Chargers at the same stadium, Corinthians Arena. Those games drew big crowds and showed strong interest from local fans.

Brazil has more than 36 million people who follow the NFL. That makes it one of the league's top markets outside North America. The NFL wants to build on that by moving to Rio de Janeiro. Rio is home to a lively sports scene, and Maracana Stadium fits right in. The stadium holds over 70,000 people. It hosted the finals of the 1950 and 2014 soccer World Cups. It also had the opening ceremony for the 2016 Olympics. Local teams like Flamengo and Fluminense play their home games there.

For the Cowboys, this will be their first regular-season game abroad as the home team. They last played overseas in 2014. That was a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. The score was 31-17. Before that, the Cowboys have done preseason games in places like Tokyo, Toronto, Mexico City, and Monterrey. Owner Jerry Jones wanted a game in Mexico City for 2026. But the league picked Rio and asked the Cowboys to take it on.

The NFL plans a record nine international games in 2026. Those will spread across four continents and seven countries. Other spots include London with three games, Paris, Munich, Madrid, Mexico City, and Melbourne. In Melbourne, the San Francisco 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams. The Cowboys could have gone there too, but that spot went to another matchup.

"We are proud to welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Brazil for the first-ever NFL game in Rio de Janeiro," said Luis Martinez, NFL Brazil general manager. "Introducing one of the league's most iconic teams to the Maracanã Stadium marks a powerful milestone in the continued growth of the sport worldwide."

Key Details

The game in Rio is set for the 2026 season. The exact date and kickoff time will come out in the spring. So will the opponent. The Cowboys have nine home games that year. They face NFC East rivals like the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders at home. Other home opponents include the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Baltimore Ravens.

League rules let teams give up one home game at their own stadium for an international spot. The Cowboys agreed to do that. AT&T Stadium in Dallas will miss one date. Maracana Stadium will step in. It is one of the biggest venues in Brazil and a key part of the city's sports history.

Stadium and Logistics

Maracana Stadium opened in 1950. It has seen some of the biggest moments in soccer. Beyond the World Cups, it holds matches for top Brazilian clubs. The NFL sees it as the perfect place to bring American football to Rio fans. Ticket details will come later. Fans can check nfl.com/Rio for updates.

The league has a plan for at least three regular-season games in Rio over the next five years. That shows a long-term bet on the city. Beyond games, the NFL runs programs like NFL Flag for kids. Thousands of young players take part across Brazil. Flag football will debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, which adds to the excitement.

What This Means

This game opens a new chapter for the NFL in South America. Rio brings a fresh crowd to the sport. The city's energy and love for sports could pull in even more fans. Brazil's 36 million NFL followers get a closer look at a top team like the Cowboys. The Cowboys gain a chance to play in front of passionate new supporters. It also tests how the team handles travel and a different field.

The push to nine international games shows the league's global goals. More games mean more eyes on NFL action worldwide. For players, it adds tough trips but also big stages. Teams like the Cowboys build their brand far from home. Local economies in places like Rio benefit from visitors and events.

NFL leaders see Brazil as a key spot. Past games in Sao Paulo set records for viewership. Rio could top that with Maracana's size. Community work through flag football and events helps grow the game from the ground up. It aims to turn casual watchers into lifelong fans.

The Cowboys step into history as the face of this move. Their popularity makes them a smart pick. Fans in Dallas will watch closely as the team adapts to Brazil. The opponent reveal in spring will add buzz. Until then, talk about the trip keeps building.