NFL Announces Rio de Janeiro Game for 2026 Schedule as Part of Multiyear Commitment

The NFL has had so much success with a regular-season game in Brazil in each of the past two years that it will be returning for 2026, but in a new location.

On Friday, the NFL announced a deal with the city of Rio de Janeiro to host at least three regular-season games in the city over the next five years, with the first one set to take place in 2026.

The NFL has hosted a Week 1 game in São Paulo in each of the past two seasons. This year's matchup saw the Los Angeles Chargers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21.

Last year featured the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, with the Eagles holding on for a 34-29 victory.

Both games were played on Friday, one day after the regular-season kickoff game featuring the defending Super Bowl champion. It's unclear when the 2026 game in Rio de Janeiro will take place.

The league has already confirmed there will be no Friday game in Week 1 next season due to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. The federal law prevents NFL games from being broadcast within a 75-mile radius of college or high-school football games between the second Friday night in September through the second Saturday in December.

Since the traditional calendar worked out in such a way over the past two years that Labor Day occurred between Sept. 1-3, the NFL had the ability to start its season during the first week of September. In 2026, however, Labor Day isn't until Sept. 7.

Maracanã Stadium will be the host site for the games in Rio de Janeiro. The stadium serves as the primary home for the Brazilian national soccer team, as well as Série A clubs Fluminense FC and Flamengo.

The NFL has made international expansion a high priority over the last several years. This season will feature seven games played outside of the United States, starting with Sunday's matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland.