[REVISION HISTORY]

NFL international game expansion tour

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-31 18:28 UTC → 2026-09-09 20:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The NFL is executing an international expansion strategy through a regular-season tour spanning seven countries across Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. A key component of this tour is the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, scheduled for September 27, 2026, at the Maracanã Stadium, where the Baltimore Ravens will face the Dallas Cowboys. The event will feature a halftime performance by Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio. While originally associated with São Paulo, the league moved the Brazil game to Rio de Janeiro, with NFL general manager Luis Martínez stating that Rio offers a “unique and iconic atmosphere that differs significantly from São Paulo.” To bolster its presence in Brazil, which the NFL identifies as its second-largest international market with over 36 million fans, the league has established a strategic media partnership with Globo. Globo, via SporTV and GE TV, will hold exclusive broadcasting rights for the Maracanã matchup, while the NFL maintains its long-standing partnership with ESPN for other coverage in the country. NFL Executive Vice President of Media Distribution Hans Schroeder noted that the success of previous games in São Paulo drove the decision to partner with Globo due to the company’s massive reach. Commercially, the league has secured a record 22 sponsors in Brazil, including global brands like Apple Music, Budweiser, and FedEx, alongside local brand XP. For the Rio de Janeiro game, 16 brands are expected to participate in on-site activations. ~~Other scheduled international matchups include games~~ Leading up to the event, the New England Patriots opened a themed kiosk in ~~Melbourne, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich,~~ Copacabana to host football challenges and ~~Mexico City.~~ brand activations as part of the league’s Global Markets Program. Additionally, New Era launched a special collection blending American football aesthetics with Rio landmarks, featuring official collaborations between the NFL and Brazilian football clubs Flamengo and Fluminense.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.