The NFL will stage a record nine regular-season games outside the United States in 2026, taking American football to four continents and seven countries in what is set to be the league’s most ambitious international programme to date.
The expanded schedule will see games played in Australia, Brazil, the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Mexico, with first-ever regular-season contests in Melbourne, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. The move underlines the NFL’s long-term strategy to grow its global fanbase and follows years of successful international events in London, Germany and Mexico.
For sports tourism destinations, the games represent a major opportunity to attract international visitors, generate hotel demand and showcase host cities to a global television audience.
London will once again host three games, while Madrid, Munich and Mexico City continue their emergence as key NFL markets. Paris and Melbourne join the schedule for the first time.
The international series begins in Australia in September and concludes in Mexico City in November, with 16 NFL franchises travelling overseas during the season. The Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers will each play two international games.
2026 NFL International Games
NFL Melbourne Game: San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
When: 11 September 2026
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
NFL Rio Game: Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys
When: 27 September 2026
Where: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
NFL London Games: Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders
When: 4 October 2026
Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
NFL London Games: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
When: 11 October 2026
Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
NFL London Games: Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
When: 18 October 2026
Where: Wembley Stadium, London, England
NFL Paris Game: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints
When: 25 October 2026
Where: Stade de France, Paris, France
NFL Madrid Game: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons
When: 8 November 2026
Where: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
NFL Munich Game: New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions
When: 15 November 2026
Where: Allianz Arena (FC Bayern Munich Arena), Munich, Germany
NFL Mexico City Game: Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers
When: 22 November 2026
Where: Estadio Banorte, Mexico City, Mexico
With a record international schedule now in place, the NFL is continuing its push towards becoming a truly global sports property. League executives have already indicated ambitions to expand the number of international games further from 2027 onwards, with additional markets under consideration.
Image credits: NFL and NFL UK & IRE (nfl.com)