The rhythm of baile funk collides with the roar of the NFL as the league returns to Brazil for its third season, this time setting up shop in Rio de Janeiro. After two years of staging games in São Paulo, the NFL’s newest international showdown will unfold on the legendary turf of the Maracanã, where the Baltimore Ravens, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, will face the Dallas Cowboys, guided by Dak Prescott, in the first regular‑season contest ever held at the iconic stadium. NFL Brazil general manager Luis Martínez told Sky Sports that Brazil is a country bursting with vibrant culture, unforgettable cuisine, and the kind of carnival atmosphere that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
He urged anyone who gets the chance to experience the nation’s samba‑filled streets, its towering landmarks and its unique flavors at least once in their lives. In Rio, soccer reigns supreme.
Murals of Neymar and Vinícius Júnior adorn the walls of the favelas, and children line the streets with makeshift FIFA‑style pitches where they juggle balls and dream of professional careers. Shirts bearing the names of legends such as Ronaldinho and Ronaldo flutter along Copacabana and Ipanema, where locals showcase astonishing keep‑y‑up tricks on the sand. On any given day, you’ll find football on every screen – in barbershops, cafés, beachfront bars and even in the back of an Uber driven by a driver who swears he hates Argentina.
Martínez believes that Brazil’s deep love for soccer can translate into enthusiasm for American football. “It’s a soccer‑dominated market, we all know that,” he said. “Breakfast, lunch and dinner the conversation is about soccer, but the fans we have for the NFL are incredibly open, and they’ve proven that they’ll embrace the sport.” He added that the NFL’s presence will be amplified by the city’s color, music, food and iconic sites – from Christ the Redeemer to Sugarloaf Mountain, from caipirinhas to carnival drums.
Rio joins a record‑breaking slate of nine international games this season, becoming one of three new venues alongside Paris and Melbourne. Melbourne recently hosted a 100,000‑spectator clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The NFL first entered Brazil in September 2024 when the Green Bay Packers took on the Philadelphia Eagles at São Paulo’s Corinthians Arena.
The following year the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs at the same stadium, and the league subsequently pledged to stage at least three regular‑season games in Rio over the next five years. Martínez contrasted the two Brazilian host cities, describing São Paulo as “corporate and industrial” while Rio feels “chill and vibey,” with Havaianas sandals and fresh coconut water on every corner. He explained that once the league learns how to adapt its playbook to each city’s unique vibe, the result is pure magic. By the close of the 2026 season, the NFL will have played 71 regular‑season games outside the United States, a journey that began with a 2005 matchup in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca and later visited venues such as London’s Wembley and Spain’s Santiago Bernabéu.
Adding the Maracanã to that list gives the league another glittering jewel in its global crown. Martínez expects the Rio crowd to be the loudest and most passionate of any international audience.
He described the upcoming game as an “authentic representation of every element we identify as key for a local Carioca,” from the samba beats to the towering Christ statue. The NFL is also planning a series of community‑focused events: a record‑breaking giant jersey sculpture on the beach, a female under‑15 flag‑football tournament, watch parties, influencer activations, and even airplane banners spelling out messages over the city. Beyond the spectacle, the league is committed to building a lasting legacy in Brazil.
Martínez emphasized the importance of reaching children – “Crianças,” as they say in Portuguese – because early exposure can turn casual interest into lifelong fandom. The NFL’s grassroots program includes three national flag‑football tournaments for under‑15 girls, under‑14 co‑ed teams, and under‑12 co‑ed teams, with winners earning the chance to represent Brazil on the world stage.
The organization also hopes to launch a school‑based flag‑football curriculum nationwide. A particular focus is the city’s favelas, which often house the most under‑privileged communities.
Martínez recounted how, in the first two years, players from favela neighborhoods have already taken part in the flag‑football tournaments, providing those kids with experiences they might never have imagined – meeting NFL athletes, cheerleaders and mascots, and seeing their neighborhoods highlighted on a global platform. He noted that the talent emerging from these areas extends beyond sport, encompassing music, graffiti, dance and other creative arts, and that the NFL aims to give those voices a stage.
On the field, the Cowboys arrive with a 1‑1 record after a 37‑20 triumph over the Washington Commanders, a game in which Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo’s franchise record for career touchdown passes. Dallas boasts a high‑octane aerial attack led by receivers CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and tight end Jake Ferguson. The Ravens, also 1‑1, are rebounding from a 24‑17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. First‑year head coach Jesse Minter is looking to capitalize on the talent of two‑time MVP Lamar Jackson, who has yet to break through to the Super Bowl despite multiple deep playoff runs.
Rio’s itinerary for the visiting teams and fans reads like a carnival itinerary: a Pedra do Sal street party on Monday, a sunset DJ set at Sugarloaf Mountain on Tuesday, a pilgrimage to Christ the Redeemer on Wednesday, a hike through Tijuca National Park on Thursday, a night out in Lapa on Friday, a samba showcase in Santa Teresa on Saturday, and finally the historic NFL showdown on Sunday. It’s a week that fuses Brazilian culture with American football in a way that promises unforgettable memories for players, spectators and the city alike. For those wanting to follow every play, the 2026 NFL season, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on February 14 2027, will be streamed live on Sky Sports or available without a contract through NOW.