Baltimore Ravens vs Dallas Cowboys in Brazil 2026: date, time, venue, and players to watch

The announcement may have passed you by because it was buried in the midst of the 2026 NFL Draft, but NFL football is heading to Rio de Janeiro for the very first time this year.

On Sunday, September 27, the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys will square off in a historic first NFL regular-season game in Cidade Maravilhosa, at the iconic Maracanã Stadium.

It's part of a record-breaking nine international games on the 2026 NFL calendar, spread across four continents and eight stadiums.

The Cowboys hold international marketing rights in Brazil and will serve as the home team for the fixture.

Here's how to watch, the key players set to steal the show, and everything else you need to know about the occasion.

When is the Ravens vs. Cowboys game?

• Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026 (Week 3)
• Venue: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Kick-off (ET): 4.25 PM
• Kick-off (PT): 1.25 PM
• Kick-off (BST): 9.25 PM
• Kick-off (BRT): 5.25 PM

The Maracanã: what you need to know

The Maracanã is one of the most famous sporting venues in the world, having hosted two FIFA World Cup finals, in 1950 and 2014, as well as the 2016 Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies.

Located in northern Rio de Janeiro, the stadium has a capacity of around 78,838 and is a symbol of Brazilian sporting culture, synonymous with some of football's most iconic moments.

Buda Mendes / Staff

Rio itself is one of the world's most celebrated cities, home to Carnival, the Christ the Redeemer statue, and Copacabana Beach, making it an extraordinary destination for visiting NFL fans.

How to watch Ravens vs. Cowboys

International broadcast details, including DAZN Game Pass availability, will be confirmed closer to the date.

In the US, the game will air on CBS and Paramount+, and on mobile with NFL+.

The rivalry: Ravens vs. Cowboys

Baltimore and Dallas are two of the NFL's most storied franchises, with a combined seven Super Bowl wins between them, two for the Ravens and five for the Cowboys.

The Ravens lead the all-time series 6-1-0, with Dallas's only win coming in 2016 when they won 27-17. Their last meeting was Week 3 of 2024, with Baltimore winning 28-25.

For the Cowboys, it's their first international game since 2014, when they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-17 at Wembley Stadium.

Ravens vs. Cowboys: players to watch in Rio

This is a game rich in star power on both sides.

Ravens coaches and players

Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter enters his inaugural season leading the Ravens, looking to help a Baltimore side that, last year, missed the postseason for the first time since 2021.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the centrepiece of everything Baltimore does. A two-time MVP, Jackson is as dangerous running the ball as he is throwing it, and games involving him tend to be appointment viewing.

Derrick Henry remains one of the most physically imposing running backs in the league, and his partnership with Jackson creates opposing defenses serious problems.

Zay Flowers is the primary wide receiver threat, with tight end Mark Andrews providing Jackson with a reliable red zone target.

There's a pair of 2026 NFL Draftees entering the picture this year in Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, but this game may arrive a little too early for them to have worked their way into meaningful roles.

Cowboys coaches and players

Brian Shottenheimer, son of the legendary Marty, returns for his second season in charge of Dallas, desperate to haul the Cowboys back into the playoffs for the first time since the 2023 season.

His quarterback, Dak Prescott, led a high-octane passing offense last year and looks set to continue putting up prolific numbers in 2026.

Prescott gave a flavour of how much this means to him when the Cowboys were first confirmed as the host team in February.

"Being 10 years in the league and I hadn't played an international game, I'm excited for the travel," he said.

"Just excited to go and play with the Cowboys across the world, give the fans in Rio a chance to see us in person," he added.

The Cowboys' receiving corps, featuring arguably the best duo in the league - CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens - gives Dallas the weapons to be score points almost at will.

Running back Javonte Williams agreed to an extension in February and returns to build upon his career year in 2025, when he put up 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

And at tight end, Jake Ferguson provides the Cowboys with a constant threat whenever they're inside the opponent's 20.

Ravens and Cowboys defenses

Baltimore's defense is out to prove a point after a down year in 2025, and few would doubt that they have the talent to return to one of the league's elite.

Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson arrived in free agency, joining a talented group headlined by linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

Dallas' defense disappointed last season, but with holdovers Quinnen Williams and DeMarvion Overshown joined by newcomers Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, and first-round safety Caleb Downs, significant improvement is expected.

What's been said about the game

"We are honoured to be chosen for the NFL's first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil," said Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti.

"South America is home to some of the world's most passionate sports fans, including our Ravens Flock in Brazil. We look forward to playing in the Maracanã against the Dallas Cowboys," he added.

"We're thrilled and honoured to be part of Rio's first NFL game," said Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones.

"Playing in the legendary Maracanã Stadium against the Ravens in front of such a passionate and growing fan base on a global stage will be very special for our team," he continued.

NFL Brazil General Manager Luis Martinez said the excitement for the fixture has been building since the matchup was confirmed:

"We look forward to welcoming the Ravens and Cowboys to Rio and having them experience firsthand the incredible passion of our fans."

NFL football in Brazil: the story so far

The NFL has played two regular-season games in Brazil before this fixture, both in São Paulo's Corinthians Arena: Packers vs. Eagles in 2024, and Chiefs vs. Chargers in 2025.

Per the NFL website, Brazil is home to more than 36 million fans of American football, and the league has made a multi-year commitment to bring at least three regular-season games to Rio over the next five years.

Tickets for Ravens vs. Cowboys

Sign up here to receive ticket news and information.

Other 2026 NFL international games

• Melbourne, Australia: San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, September 10
• Paris, France: Saints vs. TBA
• Mexico City, Mexico: 49ers vs. TBA
• London, UK: Jaguars vs. TBA (Wembley Stadium)
• London, UK: Jaguars vs. TBA (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
• London, UK: Commanders vs. TBA (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
• Munich, Germany: Lions vs. TBA
• Madrid, Spain: Falcons vs. TBA