The NFL is taking its global expansion to unprecedented heights in 2026, and football fans around the world are in for a treat. After staging seven international games in 2025, the league is upping the ante with nine matchups across four continents next season. From historic returns to exciting new frontiers, here’s everything you need to know about the NFL’s 2026 international slate.
It all kicks off with a landmark event: the first-ever NFL game in Australia. On Thursday, September 10 (U.S. time), the Los Angeles Rams will host the San Francisco 49ers at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground—Australia’s largest stadium. This Week 1 clash between NFC West rivals promises fireworks, with the game airing live on Netflix while NBC handles production. For local fans, that means a Friday morning kickoff on September 11, but for U.S. viewers, it’s prime-time Thursday night football.
The international journey doesn’t stop there. The NFL is also breaking new ground in France, with a game scheduled in Paris—marking the league’s first foray into the City of Light. While specific matchups and dates are still being finalized, the Paris game is set to be a highlight of the 2026 season, bringing the gridiron to one of Europe’s most vibrant sports markets.
Of course, the NFL is also returning to familiar territory. London remains a staple of the International Series, with multiple games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium. Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca will once again host a regular-season showdown, continuing a tradition that has thrilled fans south of the border since 2005. And don’t forget Brazil, where the league made its South American debut in 2024 and is now set for a return engagement in 2026.
This expanded schedule is no accident. The NFL has been methodically building its global footprint since the Cardinals and 49ers played the first international game in 2005. The official International Series launched in 2007, and now, nearly two decades later, the league is leveraging AI and analytics to balance competitive fairness with travel demands. The result? A diverse lineup that lets fans from Melbourne to Paris to Mexico City experience the thrill of live NFL action.
For fans, this is more than just football—it’s a celebration of the sport’s growing global community. Whether you’re in the stands at the MCG or watching from home, the 2026 international games are shaping up to be a season to remember. Stay tuned for full schedules and team announcements as the NFL continues to write its international story.