The National Football League is taking its global ambitions to new heights in 2026, unveiling a record-breaking slate of nine international regular season games that will stretch across four continents, seven countries, and eight stadiums. Announced on Wednesday morning, May 13, 2026, during a special segment on Good Morning Football and confirmed by multiple outlets, this ambitious schedule marks the league’s most expansive international effort to date.
For the first time in its storied history, the NFL will stage regular season games in Melbourne, Australia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Paris, France. These new destinations join returning host cities London, Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City, underscoring the NFL’s determination to transform American football into a truly global spectacle.
The action kicks off on Thursday, September 10, when the Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The matchup not only features one of the fiercest rivalries in the league, but also marks the NFL’s first-ever regular season contest in Australia. The game is set for an 8:35 p.m. ET kickoff, which translates to a Friday morning football bonanza for Aussie fans at 10:35 a.m. local time. According to the official schedule, the game will be available for streaming on Netflix, making it accessible to a worldwide audience.
Just a couple of weeks later, on Sunday, September 27, the NFL will make its Brazilian debut as the Dallas Cowboys face off against the Baltimore Ravens at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. With nearly 79,000 seats, the Maracanã is one of the largest stadiums in the world, promising a raucous atmosphere as two of the league’s marquee franchises battle in front of a new fanbase. The game is set to air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ at 4:25 p.m. ET (5:25 p.m. local time).
London, a city that has become synonymous with NFL international games, will host three consecutive contests in October. The action at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium begins on Sunday, October 4, with the Washington Commanders facing the Indianapolis Colts. Both teams are eager to bounce back from rollercoaster 2025 campaigns. The following week, on October 11, the Philadelphia Eagles meet the Jacksonville Jaguars in the same venue. The Jaguars, already veterans of the London stage, will then play the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on October 18, marking their 16th appearance in the British capital and their third time playing back-to-back games in London in a single season.
Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President of Club Business, Major Events and International, captured the league’s excitement: “The 2026 NFL season will feature our most expansive and ambitious international slate yet, with regular-season games spanning Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich and Mexico City.”
Paris enters the NFL scene on Sunday, October 25, when the New Orleans Saints square off against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France. It’s a fitting matchup, as New Orleans—founded by French colonists—brings its unique culture to the French capital. The Saints, who surprised many with a 6-11 finish behind Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Tyler Shough, will face a Steelers squad adjusting to new head coach Mike McCarthy after the departure of Mike Tomlin. Fans in France will get their first taste of NFL regular season action at 2:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. ET), with coverage on NFL Network and streaming via fubo.
November brings the international roadshow to Spain, Germany, and Mexico. On Sunday, November 8, the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons will meet at Madrid’s famed Bernabéu Stadium. This is the second consecutive year the Spanish capital has hosted an NFL game, and both teams are eager to make a statement. The Bengals, despite boasting a top-six passing attack behind Joe Burrow, missed the playoffs for the third straight year in 2025, while the Falcons are ushering in a new era with coach Kevin Stefanski and a quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.
The following week, on November 15, Munich’s FC Bayern München Stadium will set the stage for a clash between the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions. The Patriots, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance under coach Mike Vrabel and young quarterback Drake Maye, are out to prove they’re perennial contenders once again. The Lions, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 9-8 season. This marks the sixth regular-season NFL game in Germany and the third in Munich, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. ET).
The grand finale of the international slate arrives on Sunday, November 22, when the San Francisco 49ers travel to Estadio Banorte in Mexico City to face the Minnesota Vikings. The 49ers will make history as the first NFL team to play multiple international games in non-consecutive weeks, having already opened the season in Melbourne. San Francisco’s grueling travel schedule—an estimated 38,100 miles—will be put to the test. The Vikings, who boast an impressive 5-1 record in international games, are hoping new quarterback Kyler Murray can spark a resurgence after a drop from 14-3 to 9-8 last year.
In total, six of the nine games will take place in Europe, with London alone accounting for three. The Jaguars’ continued commitment to London is especially notable, as they become the de facto “home team” for UK fans. The NFL’s willingness to send marquee matchups and star players abroad—think Dak Prescott vs. Lamar Jackson in Brazil, or Jalen Hurts leading the Eagles in London—signals a bold new era for the league’s international ambitions.
For fans, the 2026 international schedule offers a chance to witness NFL action in some of the world’s most iconic venues, from the Maracanã to the Bernabéu to the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The league’s embrace of streaming platforms, with games airing on Netflix, CBS, Fox, and fubo, ensures that fans everywhere can tune in live, no matter their location.
As the NFL continues to push boundaries and break new ground, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year in the sport’s global journey. Whether you’re a die-hard fan in Dallas, a newcomer in Paris, or an early riser in Melbourne, the world’s game is coming to a stadium—and a screen—near you.