RIO DE JANEIRO

On Saturday morning, the Dallas Cowboys made the roughly one-hour trip from their team hotel in Rio de Janeiro to Maracanã Stadium to walk around the field, get a feel of the locker rooms and rehearse getting to the stadium for Sunday’s first-ever NFL game in the Brazilian city against the Baltimore Ravens.

The entire Cowboys contingent made the trip to the stadium to get a feel of the playing surface, as it has been under a microscope this week after Brazilian soccer players complained about the surface in recent weeks. However, NFL field director Nick Pappas spoke with the media on Saturday to affirm that the playing surface has met the guidelines required by the league and players association despite challenges from the weather over the last couple of weeks.

“Things check out,” Pappas said. “No need to worry.”

Take an inside look into the stadium, as the Star-Telegram captured the Cowboys walking through the venue on Saturday morning.

The Brazilian, American and NFL flags hang from the rafters at Maracana Stadium on September 26, 2026 the day before the NFL’s first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Brazilian, American and NFL flags hang from the rafters at Maracana Stadium on September 26, 2026 the day before the NFL’s first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nick Harris Fort Worth Star-Telegram The NFL preps for the first game at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. The NFL preps for the first game at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Nick Harris Fort Worth Star-Telegram A caricature of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson displays over Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026 the day before the first NFL game in the city. A caricature of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson displays over Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026 the day before the first NFL game in the city. Nick Harris Fort Worth Star-Telegram Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Nick Harris Fort Worth Star-Telegram Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer walks into Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer walks into Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Nick Harris Fort Worth Star-Telegram Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Nick Harris Fort Worth Star-Telegram Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Nick Harris Fort Worth Star-Telegram Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Nick Harris Fort Worth Star-Telegram Dallas Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Dallas Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. walks around Maracana Stadium the day before the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2026. Nick Harris Fort Worth Star-Telegram

This story was originally published September 26, 2026 at 12:40 PM.


Profile Image of Nick Harris

Nick Harris

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.