The Maracanã will host an unprecedented NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys will train at Ninho do Urubu.
Rio de Janeiro is gearing up for a historic moment in sports. This Sunday, the iconic Maracanã will open its doors to host, for the first time ever, a National Football League (NFL) game. The highly anticipated matchup will pit two of the league’s most popular teams against each other: the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens.
The arrival of the American football league at the Rio stadium represents a significant milestone in the NFL‘s international expansion strategy, which views Brazil as a growing market for the sport. Expectations are high, not only due to the game’s importance but also for the curiosity surrounding the teams’ adaptation to local facilities, particularly Flamengo‘s training center, which will serve as a base for one of the teams.
Cowboys at Ninho do Urubu
The Dallas Cowboys, one of the NFL‘s most valuable and recognized franchises, will arrive in Rio de Janeiro this Friday for final adjustments before the big game.
The team will hold its first official practice at the Ninho do Urubu facilities, the modern training center of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo.
The choice of the Rio club’s youth academy facilities was due to the coincidence with the FIFA Date (international break), a period when Flamengo‘s professional squad has its training schedule impacted by national team commitments.
Where Will the Baltimore Ravens Train?
In contrast, the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys‘ opponent in the historic clash, opted to use the facilities at Espaço Lonier, Botafogo‘s training center. The team is also expected to arrive in the Rio de Janeiro capital on Friday, preparing intensely for Sunday’s game. The division of training centers between the teams highlights the capacity of Rio’s sports infrastructure to host large-scale events.
Key Players on the Field
American football fans will have the opportunity to see some of the NFL‘s biggest stars up close.
On the Baltimore Ravens‘ side, all eyes will be on quarterback Lamar Jackson, a two-time league MVP, as well as offensive talents Derrick Henry and Mark Andrews. On defense, Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith are expected to be important pillars.
The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, will rely on the leadership of quarterback Dak Prescott, the agility of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and the potential of players like George Pickens, Jake Ferguson, and Javonte Williams, who could be decisive in the matchup.
NFL Precedents in Brazil
While it’s the Maracanã‘s first time hosting an NFL game, Brazil already has experience hosting league games.
In September 2024, the Neo Química Arena in São Paulo hosted the clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, with the Eagles winning 34-29.
A year later, in September 2025, the same São Paulo stadium witnessed the Los Angeles Chargers‘ 27-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, in front of an impressive crowd of 47,627 fans, solidifying the country’s potential for the sport.
Broadcast and Future of the NFL in Rio
The game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys will take place this Sunday at 5:25 PM BRT (Brasília Time).
For fans unable to attend the Maracanã, the broadcast will be available on various platforms: Globo (open TV), SporTV (cable channel), GE TV (YouTube), Globoplay (streaming), and NFL Game Pass (streaming).
Rio de Janeiro‘s commitment to the NFL extends beyond this game. The city has signed an agreement to host two more league games in the next five years, reinforcing Brazil‘s status as the second-largest international market for American football, behind only Mexico, and solidifying the sport’s presence on Brazilian soil. The partnership promises to further boost interest and development of the sport in the country.
Equipe M360
