Baltimore Ravens Are Reportedly Packing Their Bags for an International Game in 2026

The Ravens will once again be feautured on the International Series Calendar as part of the NFL's efforts to grow the game outside the U.S.

Oct 15, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson (95) after an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images | Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

The NFL’s reach into foreign markets seems unstoppable, as the league gears up for a 2026 regular season with nine international games.

One of those games will feature the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens will play the Dallas Cowboys in the first ever NFL regular season game to be played in Rio de Janeiro at the mythical Estádio do Maracanã.

According to a report by Gianna Han of The Baltimore Banner, the Ravens are set to square off against the Cowboys -- designated home team -- for a Week 3 tilt at one of the still-holy grounds of that other football. This will mark Brazil’s third ever NFL regular season game, as the two previous matches were played in São Paulo’s Arena Corinthians.

🇧🇷 Scoopage from @giana_jade: The Ravens are indeed set to play the Cowboys in Brazil in Week 3, per league sources. 🇧🇷https://t.co/ZOj4XDqBUI

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) April 1, 2026

As for the Ravens, this will also be the team’s third international game, having played twice before in London. Baltimore fell to the Jaguars by a score of 44-7 at Wembley Stadium in Week 3 of the 2017 season, and beat the Titans 24-16 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Week 6 of 2023.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are the NFL team with less international exposure to date, having only played once before a regular season match outside the U.S., a 31-17 victory over the Jags in London, in 2014.

Interestingly enough, neither Ravens nor Cowboys hold rights in Brazil through the league’s Global Markets Program. Baltimore is one of eight teams holding international rights in the U.K., its only foreign market to date.

What an International Game in Brazil Means for the Baltimore Ravens

The NFL is moving forward with the internationalization of the game, no question. While most domestic fans won’t be delighted at losing the opportunity of attending an extra football game this year, even if it’s on the road at Dallas.Travelling to Brazil won’t be easy, even for the fans who might be open to the idea. 

But the league won’t be deterred by these inconveniences as they tap into new revenue streams worldwide. When the owners discuss an 18-calendar game, these International dates will be a part of that expanded schedule, probably along with two bye weeks per team. It’s not an issue of ‘if’, but rather ‘when’.

For those who do get the opportunity to go, including the team itself, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime. Rio de Janeiro’s Estádio do Maracanã is one of one in terms of history and meaning for global sport. It’s housed two World Cup Finals, Summer Olympics and much more. Few venues in the world can rival its significance.

For Baltimore, the most important part of the trip will be trying to keep the weekly routine as unaltered as humanly possible. Coming back from Brazil without any incidents or major injuries will already be a positive for Jesse Minter’s team.