The NFL is heading to Rio de Janeiro for a historic matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys. The 2026 NFL Rio Game will take place on Sunday, September 27, at the iconic Maracanã Stadium.
The game is part of Week 3 of the 2026 NFL regular season and marks the league’s first regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, the event represents another important step in the NFL’s expansion across Brazil and the international sports market.
When is the NFL game in Rio de Janeiro?
The NFL Rio Game is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 5:25 PM Brasília Time. In the United States, the game will begin at 4:25 PM ET.
For viewers across different U.S. time zones, the kickoff times are:
- 4:25 PM ET
- 3:25 PM CT
- 2:25 PM MT
- 1:25 PM PT
The game will be played at Maracanã Stadium, one of the most famous sports venues in Brazil.
Ravens vs. Cowboys: a historic matchup in Brazil
The 2026 NFL Rio Game will feature the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys, two of the most recognizable franchises in American football.
The matchup is particularly interesting because the teams come from different conferences. Baltimore plays in the AFC, while Dallas competes in the NFC.
Moreover, the two teams have met seven times previously, with the Ravens holding a 6-1 record in those games. Their most recent meeting took place in 2024, when Baltimore defeated Dallas 28-25.
This time, however, the setting will be completely different. Instead of playing in the United States, the Ravens and Cowboys will meet thousands of miles away from their home stadiums, in front of Brazilian fans at the Maracanã.
Lamar Jackson vs. Dak Prescott
One of the biggest attractions of the game is the possibility of seeing two well-known quarterbacks on the international stage.
For Baltimore, Lamar Jackson is one of the team’s biggest stars. The quarterback has built his career around an explosive combination of passing and rushing ability.
Meanwhile, Dak Prescott leads the Cowboys’ offense. The Dallas quarterback will have the opportunity to face Baltimore again after the Ravens won their previous encounter in 2024.
As a result, the matchup brings together two experienced quarterbacks while also giving Brazilian fans the chance to watch NFL stars in person.
The first regular-season NFL game in Rio
Although the NFL has already played regular-season games in Brazil, the previous two took place in São Paulo.
In 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Green Bay Packers in the first regular-season NFL game ever played in Brazil. Then, in 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs faced the Los Angeles Chargers in another game in São Paulo.
Now, in 2026, the league is moving to Rio de Janeiro for the first time with a regular-season game at Maracanã.
Therefore, the NFL Rio Game adds a new Brazilian city to the league’s international schedule and expands its presence in the country.
Where can Americans watch Ravens vs. Cowboys?
For viewers in the United States, the game will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
The matchup will also be available to stream through Paramount+. In addition, NFL+ subscribers in the United States can watch the game live on supported phones and tablets through the NFL app.
The official U.S. broadcast schedule is:
Sunday, September 27
4:25 PM ET | 3:25 PM CT | 2:25 PM MT | 1:25 PM PT
CBS | Paramount+ | NFL+
This makes the Rio Game available to viewers across the country, even though the game itself will be played in Brazil.
Where can Brazilians watch the NFL Rio Game?
In Brazil, fans will also have several options to follow the matchup.
The game will be broadcast live on sportv, ge tv and ge.globo, while NFL Game Pass on DAZN will provide live and on-demand coverage.
The kickoff is scheduled for 5:25 PM Brasília Time, making the game accessible to Brazilian audiences during Sunday afternoon.
In addition, the event will feature special entertainment before and during the game, helping create an experience that goes beyond football.
Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin at halftime
The halftime show will feature Brazilian DJ and producer Pedro Sampaio alongside international pop star Ricky Martin.
The two artists will perform during the break between the Ravens and Cowboys. According to the NFL, the performance is part of the league’s 2026 International Games entertainment program.
The combination also highlights the international character of the event, bringing together Brazilian music and a globally recognized Latin pop artist at one of Brazil’s most iconic stadiums.
The NFL’s growing presence in Brazil
The NFL has been expanding its international schedule in recent years, and Brazil has become an important part of that strategy.
After games in São Paulo in 2024 and 2025, the league is now bringing a regular-season matchup to Rio de Janeiro. At the same time, the 2026 season features a record number of international games across several countries.
The Rio Game is therefore part of a broader effort by the NFL to reach fans outside the United States and create more opportunities for international audiences to experience the league.
For Brazilian fans, the Maracanã game also represents a chance to see an NFL regular-season matchup without traveling to the United States.
What to expect from NFL Rio Game 2026
The combination of two major NFL franchises, internationally known quarterbacks, a historic stadium and a halftime performance by Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin makes the Rio Game one of the major events on the NFL’s 2026 international calendar.
More importantly, the matchup gives the league another opportunity to connect with its Brazilian audience while bringing American football to one of the world’s most famous sports cities.
Whether you’re watching from the Maracanã, from home in Brazil or from the United States, Ravens vs. Cowboys will be one of the international highlights of the 2026 NFL regular season.
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Now that you know a little more about the NFL Rio Game 2026 and the NFL’s arrival at Maracanã, take the opportunity to explore everything TVStreamzilla has to offer. After all, if there’s one thing we know, it’s how to recommend great content.
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