The NFL will expand its international games to nine matchups in 2026, including new locations like Australia and France. This follows the league's ongoing efforts to grow football globally.
By now, the NFL has made it clear that one of its top priorities of the near future is expanding football into international markets. The 2026 season will be living up to that goal.
After playing seven international games in 2025, that number is set to increase to nine international matchups this coming season. The league has come a long way since 2005, when the Cardinals and 49ers played the first NFL game outside of the United States. By 2007, the International Series was officially implemented, and since then, the games have expanded to plenty of new countries.
In 2026, new territories for NFL games include Australia and France, along with returns to a few previous destinations.
Here's a full breakdown of the NFL's international games for 2026.
Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
The first 2026 international game will be a new destination for the NFL.
The first-ever Australia game will be at Melbourne Cricket Ground â the largest stadium in the country â in Melbourne, Australia, where two NFC West foes will meet to open their 2026 season on Thursday night of Week 1.
The Rams will be designated as the home team for the season-opener, while the 49ers will be considered away. Because of the massive time difference, technically, the two teams will be playing on the morning of Friday, Sept. 11, for local time â but in the United States, the game will be airing live on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 10.
49ers vs. Rams in Melbourne is set to air on Netflix, as The Athletic reported in May, but NBC will have the production of the game.
Ravens vs. Cowboys
Date: Sunday, Sept. 27 (Week 3)
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: MaracanĂŁ Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Two of the league's more talented squads are set to meet in Week 3 in Brazil â but unlike the previous Sao Paolo matchups for the NFL, the league will be making its debut in Rio de Janeiro.
After 40,000-plus fans watched the Eagles and Chargers claim wins in Brazil over the last two seasons, this time, it will be the Ravens (away) taking on the Cowboys (home) at Maracanã Stadium. The game is set to take place on Sunday afternoon of Week 3, being broadcast by CBS. The game will mark Dallas' first international contest as the designated home team.
With both teams eyeing bounce-backs after missing the playoffs in 2025, the Ravens and Cowboys will bring plenty of offensive firepower to Brazil.
Colts vs. Commanders
Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 (Week 4)
Time: TBD
Location:Â Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
By now, trips to London are commonplace for NFL teams. The league has held at least one London game in every season dating back to 2007 outside of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic; both Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium have become annual hosts of NFL games.
In 2026, the Commanders will be the home team for one of the London games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They'll be joined by the Colts, who will be competing in their third international tilt in four years.
Location:Â Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
Of course, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be welcomed back to London in 2026 for a pair of international games, as has become tradition in the NFL.
The Jaguars, who have become London's go-to team, have played in 14 regular-season games in London since 2013. That includes 11 at Wembley and three at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In 2026, they'll get the best of both stadiums.
They'll take on the Eagles in the first of two international games in 2026. The matchup represents the third time Philadelphia has taken its talents to non-U.S. shores for a regular season game. The Eagles last played in London in 2018, besting Jacksonville 24-18 at Wembley Stadium.
Texans vs. Jaguars
Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 (Week 6)
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
The Jaguars will stay in London for an extra week following their Week 5 tilt with the Eagles. In Week 6, they'll duel with divisional rivals the Texans at Wembley Stadium. It's a rematch of the 2019 duel between AFC South foes. Houston scored a 26-3 win in the 2019 iteration of the fixture, also held at Wembley.
"We are proud to return to London and the iconic Wembley Stadium this season," said Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair. "We look forward to competing against the Jaguars and contributing to the continued global growth of the NFL. As we celebrate 25 seasons of Houston Texans football, this marks another significant moment for our organization and for Texans fans in Houston and around the world."
Steelers vs. Saints
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25 (Week 7)
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Stade de France, Paris, France
The second brand-new NFL destination in 2026 will be Paris, France.
The league first announced in February that it would hold a game in Paris, being held at the Stade de France, which is the country's national stadium. The Saints were named the designated home team from the start.
The Steelers will join them in the French capital, taking hold of one of the country's highest-profile sporting grounds.
The Bengals will be the visiting challenger to the Falcons, as announced on May 12. The Madrid game is set to be aired on NFL Network.
Patriots vs. Lions
Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 (Week 10)
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Last season, the NFL held a game in Germany for the fourth-straight year. The league will make it five in 2026.
As announced in February, the Detroit Lions are set to be the home team for another NFL Munich Game, and it will be played at the FC Bayern Munich Stadium. It will mark the Lions' first international game since 2015; wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown's mother is also from Germany, and he frequently visited the country in his youth.
The Patriots will meet them under Munich's bright lights. New England will serve as the game's home team in the matchup. It will be aired on Fox.
It's been a few years since the NFL held a game in Mexico. After playing in Mexico City every year from 2016-19 along with in 2022, the league hasn't returned since â but that will change in 2026.
The 49ers, who were the visiting team in the last Mexico City game, will be the technical hosts this time around. The game will be held at Estadio Banorte, the same stadium that previous NFL Mexico City matchups have been at. It will be the second international game for San Francisco in 2026.
The Vikings will serve as the game's "home" team. In 2025, Minnesota became the first team to complete a "double-dip"; that is, playing consecutive games in different countries.
