Pack your bikinis and your jerseys, ladies…football is headed to Rio. The NFL just dropped some major news: starting in 2026, they’re bringing regular season games to the legendary Maracanã Stadium, one of the most famous sports venues on the planet.
This isn’t just a one-and-done trip either. The league has locked in a multi-year commitment, promising at least three games over the next five years. For a country that already has more than 36 million NFL fans, Brazil is about to become the hottest new home for American football outside the States.
Football Meets Samba Energy
Commissioner Roger Goodell called Rio “one of the world’s most iconic cities” and he’s not wrong. From carnival parades to beaches that make your Instagram sparkle, Rio is the perfect backdrop for the NFL’s big international push.
Rio’s Mayor Eduardo Paes is all in too, saying the NFL’s arrival is so huge it’s going straight onto the city’s official calendar. Imagine that: NFL Sundays officially part of Rio’s party schedule.
And Governor Cláudio Castro made it clear this isn’t just about football…it’s about tourism, jobs, and showing off Brazil as a global sports powerhouse. Translation? Expect the city to be buzzing with energy, fans, and probably a lot of Caipirinhas.
Brazil’s Football Fever Keeps Growing
If you’ve been following along, you know this isn’t Brazil’s first NFL flirtation. São Paulo hosted back-to-back games: Packers vs. Eagles in 2024 and Chiefs vs. Chargers in 2025 (Chargers came out on top, by the way). Both pulled massive crowds — nearly 50,000 fans filled Corinthians Arena earlier this month.
But now the NFL is leveling up. The Maracanã isn’t just a stadium…it’s a cathedral of football (the soccer kind). Bringing the NFL there is a statement: the league wants to cement American football’s place in South America’s sports culture.
Global Game, Global Girls
For us at Football Is Sexy, this is the kind of move that makes the game more fun for everyone. Football isn’t just staying in its comfort zone anymore…it’s hitting beaches, crossing borders, and proving it belongs on the world’s biggest stages.
Between the glamour of Rio, the intensity of NFL action, and the energy of South American fans, 2026 is shaping up to be unforgettable.
Game dates and teams haven’t been announced yet, but you better believe we’ll be watching every detail. Until then, ladies…book that Brazil trip early.
Always Rep. Always Sexy. Always Game Day Ready.
Author
