Andy Devaney
The NFL’s global march has found its next stomping ground, and it’s a doozy. NFL Rio de Janeiro is officially happening, with the league committing to play at least three regular-season games over the next five years beginning in 2026.
The stage? None other than Maracanã Stadium—football’s own Sistine Chapel, where Pelé and Garrincha once strutted their stuff, and now 300-pound linemen will try to knock each other senseless.
The announcement comes on the heels of the NFL’s successful foray into São Paulo, where more than 36 million Brazilian fans have been warming up to the American version of football. But this time, the NFL isn’t just dipping a toe in the Amazon. It’s cannonballing into Rio.
“Building on the success of the games in São Paulo, we could not be more excited to play in one of the world’s most iconic cities — Rio de Janeiro,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We look forward to working closely with our city and state partners in Rio along with the historic Maracanã Stadium to deepen our ties to the tens of millions of fans in Brazil and across South America.”
Mayor Eduardo Paes sounded equally delighted, as if he’d just been handed the keys to the Lombardi Trophy. “The National Football League’s multiyear partnership with Rio, a vibrant city where people want to be, is a perfect match,” Paes said.
“It will be a historic event, as NFL games will be included on our city’s official calendar. I’m looking forward to seeing an American football game at Maracanã, the most iconic temple of world football.”
The state governor, Cláudio Castro, hammered the economic nail on the head: “We are delighted to announce that Maracanã Stadium will host a regular-season NFL game next year in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil is now the second-largest consumer of American football outside the United States, and thousands of tourists and sports fans have dreamed of experiencing this event at the world’s most famous stadium.
Bringing the NFL to Rio is a milestone that will boost tourism, create jobs, stimulate the economy, and show the strength of our state as an international sports destination.”
A Growing Brazilian Obsession
This won’t be Brazil’s first rodeo—or scrimmage. The NFL has already played two regular-season games in São Paulo (Packers vs. Eagles in 2024, Chiefs vs. Chargers in 2025). The latter pulled in 47,627 fans at Corinthians Arena during the 2025 Kickoff Weekend, with the Chargers shocking the Chiefs 27–21. That turnout proved what many suspected: Brazil doesn’t just like American football, it loves it.
Now with NFL Rio de Janeiro locked in, the league is doubling down. Beyond the spectacle of regular-season clashes, the NFL is working year-round in Brazil with grassroots programs like NFL Flag and community events designed to turn the next Neymar into a wide receiver.
A Global Game with a Passport Full of Stamps
If you’re keeping score at home, the NFL has now played 56 international regular-season games in cities like London, Frankfurt, Munich, Mexico City, and Toronto. Coming soon: Dublin, London, Berlin, and Madrid in 2025, with Melbourne joining the party in 2026. Yes, the NFL is finally going Down Under—because apparently American football players just can’t resist tackling kangaroos in spirit if not in fact.
For now, the buzz is all about Rio. Teams, dates, and kickoff times for the inaugural NFL Rio de Janeiro game will be announced later. What’s certain is that Maracanã will become the latest cathedral in the league’s growing international pilgrimage.
Fans eager to get ahead of the stampede can sign up for ticket information at nfl.com/RioGame2026ROI. And if you want to keep tabs on the NFL’s Brazilian adventure, follow @nflbrasil on Instagram, X, and TikTok.
Because ready or not, Rio—American football is about to samba into town.
