The Dallas Cowboys are heading to Rio de Janeiro next season as the famous Brazilian city prepares to host an NFL game for the very first time.
After staging events in Sao Paolo over the past two campaigns, the NFL is making the trip to the South American country’s former capital in 2026.
And on Thursday night Dallas was unveiled as the first team involved in the Rio de Janeiro game, although no date or opponent has been set.
America’s team is set to travel overseas for the first time in 12 seasons to play at the historic Maracanã Stadium, which has held crowds of 150,000 or more for soccer matches on 26 occasions.
The only other regular-season game they have played outside of the US came in 2014, when they took on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London.
Prior to that fixture the Cowboys had only ever played international games in preseason, heading to Mexico City, Monterrey, Toronto and Tokyo.Â
The Dallas Cowboys are set to play in the first ever NFL game in Rio de Janeiro next season
The famous Brazilian city will be hosting a regular-season game in the 2026 campaign
In the 2026 season, Brian Schottenheimer’s side are slated to play against Commanders, Giants, Eagles, Colts, Texans, Seahawks, Rams and Packers on the road, as well as the Commanders, Giants, Eagles, Cardinals, 49ers, Bucs, Ravens, Jaguars and Titans at home.Â
The game in Rio will be part of an NFL record nine international games in 2026 across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums.
Earlier on Wednesday, it was announced that the San Francisco 49ersand Los Angeles Rams will play in the first-ever game in Australia.
The NFC West rivals will battle it out on the other side of the world at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, although a date and kickoff time has not yet been set.
The Australia game – at the 100,000 capacity MCG – is expected to be Week 1 and raises the unusual prospect of the NFL starting its season before Labor Day, which falls on September 7. It could be as early as the Wednesday or Thursday before the federal holiday.
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Dallas Cowboys to play in NFL’s first ever Rio de Janeiro game in 2026