NFL may expand international series to 9 games in 2026
"The definite idea is to get ourselves more to the maximum (of eight league-organized games)," plus the London game, Gerrit Meier said.
www.nytimes.comHere’s the latest on NFL international games for 2026, based on the most recent public reports and official announcements:
Direct answer
- NFL is slated to host a record nine international games in 2026, expanding global play beyond previous years. This includes a first-time presence in Madrid and Paris, plus continued action in London and Mexico City, with additional games in Melbourne and Munich.[2][3][4][5]
Key details
- London will host multiple games again in 2026, continuing the Jaguars’ London tradition and adding another international matchup in the same city.[5]
- Mexico City is returning to the schedule for 2026 with ongoing multi-year commitments, marking the first regular-season game there since 2022.[4][5]
- Madrid and Paris join the lineup for the first time, signaling the league’s push into new European markets.[4][5]
- Melbourne, Australia, will feature a game, marking Australia’s continued role in the NFL’s international slate.[2][5]
- Munich, Germany, returns as a host city, with Detroit among the teams connected to the German game and other teams involved in the broader nine-game slate.[3][5]
- The nine-game target is part of a broader goal to reach roughly 16 international games per season in the long term, though that full target is not yet realized.[3][5]
Who’s playing where (high-level)
- London: at least three games, with Jaguars and Commanders listed among participants, continuing the UK rotation.[5]
- Mexico City: one or more games as part of a renewed long-term agreement; teams are announced progressively.[4][5]
- Madrid: at least one game featuring an NFL team, marking the league’s first foray into Spain’s capital.[4]
- Paris: a regular-season NFL game in France, marking a historic first for the market.[4]
- Melbourne: Rams versus an opponent as part of the Australia slate.[2][5]
- Munich: Lions or other teams set to play in Germany; a notable return to the German market.[3][5]
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a game in Brazil continues the South American footprint.[5][4]
What this means for fans
- If you’re in Valletta or nearby, you’ll have several international options within reach in 2026, including journeys to Madrid, Paris, London, Mexico City, and Melbourne, depending on travel plans and ticket availability.[5][4]
- The league’s expansion plan aims to grow global engagement and create more opportunities for local markets to experience NFL action in person.[3][5]
Notes
- Scheduling and exact matchups are subject to change as the NFL finalizes the full schedule and broadcast arrangements. For the most precise, up-to-date lineup, check the NFL’s official schedule release and trusted sports outlets as the season approaches.[5]
If you’d like, I can summarize the nine games with teams and venues as soon as the official schedule is published, or help plan potential travel options for any of these locations.
Citations
- NFL schedule release and nine international games in 2026:[5]
- Details on international locations and teams (Madrid, Paris, Melbourne, Munich, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro):[2][3][4]
- Background on expansion goals and international slate:[3]