NFL Expands Global Footprint With 2026 International Games

The NFL has announced that the 2026 season will feature the largest slate of international games to date, reinforcing the league’s long-term commitment to expanding beyond the U.S.

The schedule includes multiple regular-season games across Europe and Latin America, with confirmed matchups set for London, Germany, Mexico City, and for the first time, Spain. The news came just days before Sunday’s Super Bowl.

League officials described the move as a strategic step in what Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly called a “global growth phase” for the NFL.

“The appetite for NFL football internationally continues to accelerate,” Goodell said. “We’re not just exporting games — we’re building sustained fan bases and long-term partnerships.”

European games have allowed the league to also have a morning TV window for games in the U.S., a nice addition for fans who enjoy some NFL betting.

A Continued European Presence

London remains the centerpiece of the NFL’s overseas efforts, with multiple games scheduled at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which was specifically designed to accommodate American football.

Germany will once again host regular-season contests, continuing the league’s recent success in Munich and Frankfurt, which saw sellout crowds and strong television ratings .

Spain’s inclusion marks a new chapter in the international strategy. Madrid is expected to host its first regular-season NFL game in 2026, signaling the league’s intention to broaden its reach within Europe’s growing American football market.

Mexico City also returns to the schedule after stadium renovations, with Estadio Azteca long serving as one of the NFL’s most passionate international venues. The league has also added games in Paris, France, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Here’s a look at all the 2026 international games:

• Melbourne, Australia: The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will be play at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Dallas Cowboys to play at Maracana Stadium with an opponent to be announced later.
• Paris, France: New Orleans Saints with opponent to be named later.
• London, England: Three regular-season games scheduled across the city, with teams to be announced later.
• Munich, Germany: One regular-season game with teams to be announced.
• Madrid, Spain: One regular-season game with teams to be announced.
• Mexico City, Mexico: One regular-season game with teams to be announced.

A Long History of Global Ambitions

The NFL’s international expansion efforts date back decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, the league staged preseason “American Bowl” games across Europe and Asia. That initiative evolved into NFL Europe, a developmental league that operated from 1991 through 2007.

The modern era of overseas regular-season play began in 2007 with the launch of the NFL International Series in London. Since then, the number of games abroad has steadily increased, particularly in the past five years with the league’s Global Markets Program.

The initiative grants individual franchises marketing rights in specific international territories for year-round fan engagement outside the U.S.

In recent seasons, the NFL has hosted games in the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, and Brazil. League executives have even floated the possibility of an international franchise one day.

Business, Broadcast and Competitive Impact

The expansion of international games reflects both business and competitive considerations. Global media rights continue to grow in value, and live sports remain a premium television product worldwide.

By staging regular-season games abroad, the NFL taps into new broadcast deals, sponsorship opportunities, and merchandising markets.

The league has adjusted scheduling formats to minimize competitive disadvantages, often assigning bye weeks following overseas games.

The NFL’s announcement underscores a broader vision of American football as a global sport. With expanding youth participation overseas, growing digital viewership, and sold-out stadiums abroad, league officials believe international growth is no longer just experimental.