NFL Rio Game 2026: The complete guide to Ravens vs. Cowboys at Maracanã
American football is coming to Rio de Janeiro for the first time, and it's coming to the most iconic stadium in the world - Maracanã. On September 27, 2026, the Baltimore Ravens face the Dallas Cowboys, in Week 3 of the NFL regular season. This is the first of at least three NFL games confirmed for Rio over the next five years, and if you're planning to be there, here's everything you need to know.
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NFL Rio 2026: date and tickets
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Kickoff: 5:25 PM local time
Teams: Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys (Cowboys are the home team)
Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster. Get your tickets here.
This is a historic matchup. The Cowboys haven't played an international game since 2014, and the Ravens are making their first appearance outside of London after international games there in 2017 and 2023. On the field: Lamar Jackson, two-time MVP, leading the Ravens. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb commanding the Cowboys offense. It's one of the most watchable regular-season matchups the NFL could have chosen for this stage.
Maracanã Stadium
The iconic Brazilian stadium in Rio de Janeiro has hosted World Cup matches and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics. For context, the two previous NFL games in Brazil, in São Paulo, drew around 47,000 fans each at Arena Corinthians. Maracanã is in a different league entirely, both in size with 78,000-seats and in history.
How to visit Maracanã Stadium
The official stadium tour is the best way to see Maracanã before the game. You'll go behind the scenes including the locker rooms, the press room, and the pitch itself, while walking through a permanent exhibition of Brazilian football history. Highlights include Garrincha's uniform from the 1962 World Cup, the footprints of legends like Pelé and Roberto Dinamite, and a collection of pieces donated by Zico, including the 1981 world championship kit. For anyone coming to Rio for an NFL game, seeing this place through the lens of its football history first makes the experience on Sunday feel even bigger.
Tickets are available at the gate (Gate 1, from 8:30 am) or in advance at www.tourmaracana.com.br.
Prefer a guided tour with transport?
Private and group tours are available including hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, and behind-the-scenes access to the locker rooms, pitch, press conference room, and museum. A good option if you want the stadium visit without worrying about logistics.
Or, you can watch a football match. Catching a local game at Maracanã is a completely different experience from the tour. The atmosphere of a Rio derby (Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco) is something the stadium was built for. Book via Viator.
How to get to Maracanã Stadium
The metro is your best option on game day. There are two stops near Maracanã stadium and which one to use depends on your gate:
Rei Pelé – Maracanã Station: Gates A, B, and C
São Cristóvão Station: Gates D, E, and F
Coming from Copacabana, Leblon or Ipanema - Board on Line 1, direction Uruguai. Transfer at Botafogo Station to Line 2, direction Pavuna. Get off at your corresponding station.
Total journey: around 32 minutes, one transfer.
Coming from Flamengo, Glória, or Centro - Board Line 1 direction Jardim Oceânico and ride to Botafogo Station. Transfer there to Line 2, direction Pavuna, and get off at your corresponding station.
Not familiar with Rio's metro system? Check our complete guide to getting around Rio by metro before game day.
On the way back, the area around the stadium will be packed, plan on the metro and give yourself extra time. Uber and taxis will be slow getting out of the neighborhood.
A few practical tips:
Arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff
The stadium is in the Tijuca neighborhood, not the Zona Sul, so factor in travel time from your hotel
Bring your ticket downloaded on the Quentro app before you leave
Where to stay for NFL Rio 2026
Maracanã is in Tijuca, a North Zone residential neighborhood that works well for locals but doesn't have much to offer tourists in terms of restaurants, beaches, or nightlife. Staying there makes the game day logistics easy, but complicates everything else.
If you want to stay close to the stadium without sacrificing the rest of your trip, Downtown is a smart middle ground. It's well connected by metro to both the stadium and the Zona Sul, and hotels there tend to be more affordable than in the beach neighborhoods.
For a base that covers everything from beaches, restaurants and easy access to the city, Copacabana, Botafogo, and Ipanema are the reliable choices. From any of these, the metro gets you to Maracanã with one transfer at Botafogo.
Not sure which neighborhood fits your trip best? Our complete guide to where to stay in Rio breaks it down by style and budget.
Making the most of your trip to NFL
The game is on September 27 and the timing couldn't be better for a trip to Rio. Late September marks the beginning of spring, right after the Rock in Rio season, which means lower prices, fewer crowds, and beaches that are genuinely enjoyable without the intense summer heat. It's one of the best kept secrets about visiting Rio.
And if you want to extend the trip, the Festival do Rio starts on October 1st — one of Latin America's most important film festivals, and a great reason to stay a few extra days.
The beaches in September are a highlight: warm enough to swim, uncrowded, and with that clear late-winter light that makes everything look good. For ideas on how to fill the days around the game, our Rio de Janeiro itinerary is a good starting point, and our guide to things to do in Rio covers the city in full.
