NFL to stage at least three regular-season games in Rio at Maracanã

The NFL will stage at least three regular season games in Rio de Janeiro over the next five years, beginning in 2026, the league announced Friday, marking a shift from recent games in São Paulo and expanding its international footprint to one of Brazil's most iconic venues. The games will be played at Maracanã Stadium, the historic soccer arena built for the 1950 World Cup and home to Flamengo and Fluminense.

The multiyear commitment calls for a minimum of three regular season games in Rio over five years, with the first match slated for 2026, league officials said. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the move builds on the success of NFL fixtures in São Paulo and expressed eagerness to work with city and state partners and the Maracanã to deepen ties with fans across Brazil and South America.

The announcement comes after the NFL held regular season games in São Paulo in consecutive seasons, drawing large local interest. Green Bay and Philadelphia played in Brazil in 2024, and Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers met this season at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo. Those São Paulo games were scheduled as Friday night season openers, but the league indicated earlier this year it...