Why the NFL Chose the Cowboys to Play at Rio in 2026
For the first time since 2014, the NFL will have the Dallas Cowboys play an international game. Next season, the Cowboys will be participating in one of the nine total games that will be taking place outside of the United States, which is an NFL record up to this point. At first, several analysts and Cowboys fans believed that the NFL would have the Cowboys play in Mexico City, home to the largest fanbase of Cowboys fans outside of Texas, and a country that has shown its appreciation for the sport countless times. However, the NFL decided to go in a different direction, one that many did not see coming. The Dallas Cowboys will play the very first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, making it the third game to be played in the country. The NFL could have opted to send the Cowboys to a country with a rich history tied to the team and the sport, but instead, it chose to send them elsewhere. Exactly why were the Cowboys the team to play there?
The explanation is straightforward and ties back to the global popularity of the Cowboys. Despite the lack of success in this century, the Dallas Cowboys remain the most recognizable franchise in American sports, and there is no better way to grow a sport in a new city and country than sending the most popular team. The Cowboys star has become more than a symbol; it represents an entity. The key objective for the NFL is to create a significant impact in Rio with their inaugural game, and there is no better team to showcase than America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys, along with their iconic star logo.
The game will be played in one of the world's most historical and renowned stadiums, La Maracanã. Home to two Brazilian soccer giants, Flamengo and Fluminense, and having hosted major finals in numerous club and international competitions, there is no better stadium to welcome the Cowboys. The NFL has always looked to grow itself and expand its game to new places across the globe. The Cowboys playing in Rio not only provides Brazilians with another glimpse of America's beloved game but also hints at what could become a common occurrence in the near future.
