The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are set to compete in Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium for the city's first NFL regular-season game. The event features a high-profile halftime performance by Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio as part of a broader international expansion.
Maracanã Stadium's 55,000-Fan Debut for the NFL
The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys will face off at the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, marking a milestone for the league's presence in South America. According to the report, this event represents the first time a regular-season NFL game has been hosted in the city. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:25 p.m. Eastern Time, with an expected live crowd exceeding 55,000 spectators.
This specific matchup is not merely a standalone game but the second of seven halftime shows sponsored by American Express for the 2026 International Games program . by selecting the Maracanã, the NFL is positioning itself in one of the world's most storied sporting venues , aiming to capture a global audience of millions watching from home.
Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio's Latin Influence
The halftime entertainment is designed to bridge the gap between American sport and Brazilian culture, featuring singer Ricky Martin and Brazilian manager Pedro Sampaio. Martin, who has achieved more than 95 million global album sales, expressed excitement about returning to Rio and performing for the local fans. sampaio, who also serves as the coach of the Brazilian national team, described the Maracanã as a place where history was made and noted that performing alongside Martin is a career highlight.
Tim Tubito, the NFL's senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, stated that the league has intentionally embraced the cultural influence of Latin music over the past year. By pairing Martin and Sampaio, the NFL aims to create a unique connection with fans across Brazil and the wider Latin American region, treating the halftime show as a cultural bridge rather than just a break in play.
A Seven-Country Schedule Including the Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Rio de Janeiro game serves as the opening chapter of an ambitious 2026 International Games schedule that spans four continents and seven different countries. As the report says, this program is part of a strategic push to celebrate the global growth of American football and export the league's sporting values to new markets.
Beyond Brazil, the NFL has already planned a historic first game in Australia, which will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. That event will feature its own high-profile entertainment, with the Jonas Brothers slated to headline the halftime show. This pattern of pairing massive sporting events with global pop icons suggests the NFL is adopting a "Super Bowl model" for its international expansion, where the spectacle surrounding the game is as important as the competition itself.
Globo's Broadcast and the Missing Ticket Details
To ensure maximum reach within Brazil, the halftime show and game will be broadcast live via Globo's network, including GETV and SportTV. The league is also leaning into the commercial side of the expansion, with limited-edition memorabilia and event-specific merchandise available for purchase at NFL Shops located in Rio de Janeiro.
However, several critical details remain unverified in the current reporting. While the crowd size is estimated at 55,000, the source does not explain the ticket distribution process or how fans in Rio can secure seats. Additionally, there is no information regarding the travel and recovery logistics for the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys, who must manage a significant time-zone shift and long-haul travel before competing in a regular-season contest.
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