NFL 2026 international games schedule: Check dates, times, and matchups for nine global clashes
NFL 2026 international games schedule: The nine games highlight the NFL’s growing worldwide push and deliver must-watch storylines for fans everywhere.
The NFL is taking its biggest step yet into the global spotlight in 2026. Ahead of the full regular-season schedule drop, the league announced all nine international games spanning four continents and seven countries. Sixteen teams will travel, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers each playing twice overseas. From Australia’s first-ever NFL game to return trips in London and new stops in Paris and Madrid, here’s your complete guide to the 2026 international slate.
Australian NFL debut: San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Week 1
The league opens its global journey Down Under on Thursday, September 10, at 8:35 PM ET when the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both 2025 playoff teams bring star power, Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey for San Francisco, and Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, plus new arrival Davante Adams for the Rams. It marks the second meeting in the Kyle Shanahan-Sean McVay rivalry this season and promises high-scoring fantasy appeal right from Week 1.
Brazil showdown: Baltimore Ravens vs Dallas Cowboys in Rio (Week 3)
Baltimore Ravens travels to face Dallas at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, September 27, at 4:25 PM ET. This rare interconference clash gives both sides early-season film to study. Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens in their first year under head coach Jesse Minter, while Dak Prescott aims to flip a 6-1 historical deficit against Baltimore. The two quarterbacks have met just once before, a thrilling 2024 Ravens win.
London triple header: Three big matchups across Weeks 4-6
The NFL returns to the UK for three straight weeks at Tottenham Hotspur and Wembley Stadiums.
Week 4 – Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders (October 4, 9:30 AM ET): Both teams seek bounce-back seasons after tough 2025 campaigns. Jayden Daniels looks to regain form for Washington; Indianapolis hopes Daniel Jones is healthy after his Achilles injury.
Week 5 – Philadelphia Eagles vs Jacksonville Jaguars (October 11, 9:30 AM ET): Philadelphia visits Jacksonville’s London home. The Eagles haven’t played in Jacksonville since 2010, but the teams met in London back in 2018.
Week 6 – Texans vs Jaguars (October 18, 9:30 AM ET, Wembley): A crucial AFC South battle. The Jaguars, coming off a 13-4 season, stay in London for back-to-back games against division rival Houston.
Paris premiere: Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints (Week 7)
Pittsburgh heads to Stade de France on Sunday, October 25, at 9:30 AM ET to meet New Orleans in the NFL’s first Paris game. Mike McCarthy’s Steelers face his former offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, and the Saints. Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation remains a major storyline, while rookie standout Tyler Shough is expected to start for New Orleans.
Madrid return: Cincinnati Bengals vs Atlanta Falcons (Week 9)
On Sunday, November 8, at 9:30 AM ET, Cincinnati and Atlanta clash at Bernabéu Stadium. Bijan Robinson, fresh off a monster All-Pro year, leads the Falcons’ young attack against Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Both clubs missed the playoffs in 2025 and arrive hungry for a rebound.
Munich matchup: New England Patriots vs Detroit Lions (Week 10)
New England visits Detroit in Germany on Sunday, November 15, at 9:30 AM ET (FOX). The Patriots surprised everyone by reaching the Super Bowl last season behind MVP runner-up Drake Maye. The Lions bring a stacked offense featuring Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose mother was born in Germany.
Mexico City closer: Minnesota Vikings vs San Francisco 49ers (Week 11)
The 49ers wrap the international schedule on Sunday, November 22, at 8:20 p.m. ET against Minnesota at Estadio Banorte. San Francisco bookends its year with games in Australia and Mexico, while the Vikings return after two European trips in 2025.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
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