The NFL reveals a groundbreaking schedule for 2026, featuring nine regular-season games across four continents and seven countries. Matches will take place in eight stadiums in Melbourne (Australia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), London (UK), Paris (France), Madrid (Spain), Munich (Germany), and Mexico City (Mexico), boosting the league’s worldwide appeal.
Key Matchups and Dates
The series launches in Week 1 with the San Francisco 49ers facing the Los Angeles Rams on September 10 in Melbourne—a Thursday night contest airing on Netflix, which shifts to Friday morning local time. The 49ers serve as the road team.
On September 27, the Baltimore Ravens meet the Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, marking the city’s debut as an NFL host.
London hosts three games: Indianapolis Colts versus Washington Commanders on October 4 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Commanders as home team), followed by Philadelphia Eagles against Jacksonville Jaguars on October 11 at the same venue. The Jaguars then host the Houston Texans on October 18 at Wembley Stadium—their first back-to-back home games abroad.
Paris welcomes the Pittsburgh Steelers versus New Orleans Saints on October 25, with the Saints as home team. Madrid stages Cincinnati Bengals against Atlanta Falcons on November 8.
In Week 10, New England Patriots take on Detroit Lions in Munich on November 15 (Lions hosting). The season finale abroad pits Minnesota Vikings against San Francisco 49ers on November 22 in Mexico City, where the 49ers host.
Historic Firsts and Team Notes
Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro host NFL regular-season games for the first time. The Australia clash represents the league’s inaugural Down Under matchup.
The Jaguars play consecutive international home games, while the Vikings follow their 2025 multi-city road trip with another away game in Mexico City.
The complete 2026 schedule for all 32 teams drops Thursday, with select U.S. games already set: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs on September 14 for ESPN’s Monday Night Football opener, Buffalo Bills versus Lions on September 17 launching Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football in their new stadium, Cowboys at New York Giants on September 13 for NBC’s Sunday Night Football debut, and Cowboys hosting Eagles on Thanksgiving via Fox.
