NFL Goes Global in 2026-27: A Breakdown of the Record International Games and What It Means for the League

The NFL isn’t just America’s sport anymore — it’s becoming a global spectacle. For the 2026–27 season, the league has booked a record-breaking slate of international games, spanning nine matchups across multiple continents, with cities and fanbases around the world finally getting their NFL fix. This expansion is reshaping what it means to be a truly global sports league.

Here’s everything you need to know about the NFL International Games schedule and why this season’s global footprint is historic.

🏈 A Record Nine International Games in 2026

For the first time in NFL history, the regular season will feature nine international games — the most ever in a single year. That’s up from seven just a season or two ago, and part of the league’s long-term plan to eventually reach 16 international contests per season under future broadcast agreements and collective bargaining terms.

These games aren’t just exhibitions — they’re regular-season matchups that count toward teams’ records, playoff hopes, and the journey to Super Bowl LXI in February 2027.

🌍 Countries Hosting Games in 2026

The NFL’s international footprint has expanded to cover multiple continents and cultures, with games set in:

🇦🇺 Melbourne, Australia

• The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are slated to play at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) — marking the first NFL regular-season game in Australia.

🇫🇷 Paris, France

• The New Orleans Saints will serve as the designated home team for the first NFL game ever played in Paris, at Stade de France, continuing the league’s expansion into Western Europe.

🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• After successful games in São Paulo in recent seasons, the NFL heads to Maracanã Stadium in Rio, where a matchup featuring the Dallas Cowboys is on the docket.

🇲🇽 Mexico City, Mexico

• The San Francisco 49ers will return to Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, marking the league’s continued commitment to a three-year agreement for games in Mexico.

🇩🇪 Munich, Germany

• The Detroit Lions will play in Germany at Allianz Arena — the country’s first NFL contest in over a decade after prior London and Madrid stops.

🇬🇧 London, England

• London continues to be the heart of the NFL International Series with three games, including two hosted by the Jacksonville Jaguars (one at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Wembley) and another featuring the Washington Commanders.

🇪🇸 Madrid, Spain

• The league will also continue its Madrid presence in 2026, with an additional international game set to take place there.

🗺️ What This Expansion Means

📈 1. A Growing Global Fanbase

NFL games abroad aren’t just gimmicks — they’re clear responses to demand. Countries like Germany, Brazil, and Australia have shown enthusiastic crowds and strong viewership metrics, proving the sport’s universal appeal. Teams like the Lions have even built developmental programs and youth camps through international markets in Germany ahead of their game there.

🏙️ 2. New Experiences for Fans and Cities

These games bring NFL culture to cities that previously had none or limited exposure. From the massive crowds in London to fans packing Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, this season’s schedule is about meeting fans where they are and growing new markets.

🏆 3. Competitive Integrity With a Global Spin

These aren’t preseason exhibitions — they count in the standings and can have real playoff implications. That means teams now have to consider travel, rest, and hostile environments as part of regular strategic planning, adding a fresh dynamic to the NFL season.

🔮 The Bigger Picture

The NFL’s international strategy isn’t just a short-term marketing push — it’s part of a long-term vision to eventually make an international slate a standard part of the season, potentially culminating in multi-game global weeks by the end of the decade.

That could mean:

• More fans in more countries

• New stadium partnerships

• Expanded broadcasting deals

• A truly global footprint for “America’s Game”