NFL releases schedule of international games for 2026

The National Football League has unveiled the full 2026 International Games schedule, which will see a record-breaking nine games played across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums next season, according to an NFL news release. 

Melbourne (Australia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), London (U.K.), Paris (France), Madrid (Spain), Munich (Germany) and Mexico City (Mexico) will all host international games in 2026 as part of the league’s long-term commitment to global expansion.

“This year’s record-breaking schedule will see a host of world-class NFL franchises and star athletes play in some of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, underlying the league’s global growth vision and bringing our fans internationally closer to the game than ever before," said Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president of club business, major events and international. 

The international slate will get underway in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10, as the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“As we continue our preparations for the NFL’s first-ever regular season game at the MCG in Melbourne, we are delighted that the San Francisco 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams," said NFL Australia & New Zealand General Manager Charlotte Offord. “The 49ers are a popular franchise within the Australian market, and this rivalry game solidifies what we know is going to be an incredible NFL experience for our fans down under.”

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, follows with the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 27, at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. This will be the third regular-season game hosted in Brazil and a first for Rio, following two previous games in São Paulo.

London will host three consecutive games in the 2026 NFL season, which will take the total number of regular season games played in the U.K. since 2007 to 45. Two games will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Wembley Stadium.

The first Tottenham Hotspur game will take place on Sunday, Oct. 4, with the Indianapolis Colts facing the Washington Commanders. The second matchup, to be played on Sunday, Oct. 11, will see the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars will then head to Wembley Stadium to play the Houston Texans on Sunday, Oct. 18, in what will be their 16th game in the capital and the third time they will play back-to-back games in London in one season.

The international slate then moves to Paris for the first regular season matchup in France, with the Pittsburgh Steelers playing the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Stade de France.

“Bringing a regular season game to Paris in 2026 marks an exciting next step in the continued expansion of the league’s global footprint,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Paris is one of the world’s greatest sporting and cultural cities with tremendous success in hosting global events that unite fans on the biggest stages.”

The Saints have international marketing rights in France as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program, an initiative that grants global marketing rights to clubs in markets outside of the U.S. to build brand awareness and fandom. All 32 NFL teams participate in the program with rights across 21 markets.

On Sunday, Nov. 8, the Cincinnati Bengals face the Atlanta Falcons at the Bernabéu Stadium – home to Real Madrid C.F. – as the NFL returns to the Spanish capital for a second consecutive regular season game.

“The 2025 NFL Madrid game at the Bernabéu was a pivotal moment for the sport in Spain, and we are delighted to confirm that we will return to play a regular season game in 2026 in a multi-year partnership with the City of Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid and Real Madrid C.F.,” said NFL Spain Country Manager Rafa De Los Santos.

“It is an honor and a privilege for Real Madrid to host the NFL once again at the Bernabéu stadium,” said Real Madrid Director of Institutional Relations Emilio Butragueño.

The final European game of the season will be staged in Munich, Germany at FC Bayern Munich Arena where the New England Patriots take on the Detroit Lions. The game, to be played on Sunday, Nov. 15, will mark the sixth regular-season game to be held in Germany, and the third to be played in Munich.

The international slate concludes in Mexico City, where the Minnesota Vikings face the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Banorte on Sunday, Nov. 22. The game will see the NFL return to Mexico for the first time since 2022 and will be the sixth regular-season game hosted in the country since 2005.

Sixty-two regular season NFL games have been played around the world with London, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, São Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto having hosted games to date.

The full 2026 NFL Schedule powered by AWS was released on Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. ET, with coverage on NFL Network, ESPN, the ESPN App and NFL+.