NFL Expands Globally: Paris, Melbourne & Rio to Host Games in 2026

The NFL is poised for a significant expansion of its international presence, with a record nine regular-season games scheduled to be played outside of the United States in February 2026. This ambitious move, announced in the lead-up to February 8th‘s Super Bowl, marks the first time regular-season games will be held in Paris, Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro.

The expansion builds on the foundation of the NFL’s International Series, which began in 2007 with games played in London. Initially met with skepticism from some team owners concerned about sacrificing home revenue in a market already dominated by European football (soccer), the series has grown steadily over the past two decades. Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president for international and league events, noted that the league has “zeroed in” on international expansion over the last three to four years.

The success of these international games has prompted discussions about potentially extending the regular season to accommodate even more overseas matchups. “The possibility of an 18-game schedule requires more work—it requires alignment and negotiation with the players union—but that opportunity to bring more regular-season football, and in turn the opportunity to play beyond this current number of international games, is something that we’re certainly considering,” O’Reilly said.

The NFL’s global strategy extends beyond simply playing games abroad. All 32 NFL teams participate in the league’s Global Markets Program, launched in January 2022. This program grants teams international marketing rights, allowing them to build brand awareness, forge partnerships, and explore commercial opportunities in specific territories.

The allocation of these rights often considers geographical, cultural, and historical connections. For example, the Arizona Cardinals have been granted rights in Mexico, while the Miami Dolphins, leveraging the large Hispanic and Latino communities in their home market, have rights in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain. The Pittsburgh Steelers, with deep ancestral roots in Ireland, were awarded rights there in 2023.

The Steelers’ connection to Ireland is particularly noteworthy. The Rooney family, the team’s majority owners, trace their lineage back to Ireland, with ancestors emigrating during the Great Famine of the 1840s before settling in Pittsburgh. This historical link has been nurtured through charitable work, cultural exchange, and political engagement, including Dan Rooney’s tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland in 2009.

“The Rooneys and the Pittsburgh Steelers are coming home, literally, and that’s a lovely thing,” said Patrick O’Donovan, Ireland’s minister for culture, tourism and sport. The Irish government has committed €10 million (approximately $11.9 million) in public funding to support the game, covering license fees, transportation, security, and venue arrangements. Fáilte Ireland, the country’s tourism development authority, estimates the event will generate an additional €64 million in economic activity.

The game in Dublin proved to be a significant success for television viewership, ranking as the second most-watched NFL Network international game on record, attracting 7.9 million viewers in the United States—a 68% increase compared to the 2024 international game average. O’Reilly emphasized that the games are not solely about financial returns, but rather serve as “pebble drops,” creating ripple effects that extend far beyond the game itself.

The NFL’s international ambitions are mirrored by other major sports leagues. The NBA has also held regular-season games outside the United States, and several competitive soccer matches were played in international markets in 2025. If these ventures continue to yield strong financial results, further expansion appears likely, signaling a broader trend towards globalization in professional sports.

The upcoming games in Paris, Melbourne, and Rio de Janeiro, alongside the continued International Series games, represent a significant step in the NFL’s efforts to cultivate a global fanbase and establish a lasting presence in key international markets.