The Dallas Cowboys are the biggest brand in the NFL, and one of the biggest in the world of sports, so it only makes sense that they'll help the league make some history in 2026.
It was announced on Thursday that the Cowboys will play the NFL's first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ESPN's Todd Archer has confirmed it's a home game for Dallas, meaning the league convinced Jerry Jones to move one of his home games away from AT&T Stadium.
That couldn't have been easy, but the global exposure the Cowboys will get from this event will likely be more than enough to make it worthwhile. The league announced it right before the NFL Honors and just days before Super Bowl 60. They want this to be as big as possible.
The ‘Boys are Brazil bound 🇧🇷🧳 pic.twitter.com/7O3d7SNspy
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) February 6, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys will play in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2026
While this is the third straight year that the NFL will have a regular-season game in Brazil, the first two contests were played in São Paulo.
This will be the Cowboys’ first international game in 12 years and only their second regular-season contest played outside the United States. Their lone previous appearance came in 2014 against the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. They have played nine preseason games internationally, dating back to 1986.
Jerry Jones said the following about playing in Brazil:
“I have a lot of business in Brazil that I’ve had for 35 years. It’ll be great to have those Cowboys involved. We’re excited. We have a lot of fans on that continent, and it makes it good. I’m excited about going.”
According to the press release, the game will be played at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. With a capacity of more than 150,000, it is one of the largest sporting venues in the world. Jerry Jones probably didn't need to hear much more than that.
That begs the question of who will the Cowboys play? Since it's a home game, that leaves the following teams if you remove the NFC East opponents:
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Baltimore Ravens
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 49ers are easily the biggest brand of that bunch, and Cowboys–Niners is one of the NFL’s most iconic rivalries. But the league announced earlier Thursday that San Francisco will face the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, next season. Pretty hard to imagine the NFL turning around and sending the 49ers to Brazil after that.
That probably leaves one of the NFC East teams, if we had to guess. But the opponent will be announced in May, so there is plenty of time to speculate on Dallas' opponent.
In the meantime, get those passports ready.