Dallas Cowboys confirmed for first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro | OneFootball

The National Football League (NFL) has announced the Dallas Cowboys as one of the participants in the league's first game in Rio de Janeiro during the 2026 regular season, with the Maracanã as the venue. The match will be part of a record nine international NFL games next season, spread across four continents, seven countries, and eight stadiums. This will also be the first NFL game held in Rio and the third in Brazil.

“We are proud to welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Brazil for the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro’s history,” said NFL Brazil general manager, Luis Martinez.

“Showcasing one of the league’s most iconic teams at Maracanã represents an important milestone in the sport’s continued global growth. Bringing a regular season game to Rio strengthens our connection with a vibrant and passionate American football community, and reinforces our long-term commitment to the market,” he added.

The Cowboys’ opponent, as well as the date, time, and ticket information, will be announced soon.

Brazil is home to more than 36 million NFL fans and is one of the league’s most significant international markets. The announcement follows a multi-year commitment to hold at least three regular season games in Rio de Janeiro over the next five years.

In addition to the games, the NFL is committed to developing the sport at all levels in Brazil, engaging fans year-round through partners, programs, and initiatives, including NFL Flag and community events. The program already involves thousands of young athletes across Brazil, reflecting efforts to broaden participation among future generations.

The game in Rio de Janeiro will be the third NFL game in Brazil. In the past two years, São Paulo hosted Philadelphia Eagles vs Green Bay Packers (2024) and Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs (2025), both at Arena Corinthians.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.