Ravens vs Cowboys 2026: NFL Rio Game Schedule, Time & How to Watch

NFL Rio Game 2026: Concerns about the condition of the Maracanã playing surface have become one of the biggest stories ahead of Sunday's Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys matchup in Rio de Janeiro. The NFL says the game will proceed as scheduled.

The condition of the Maracanã field has become a major talking point ahead of the 2026 NFL Rio Game. The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to meet at the iconic Rio de Janeiro stadium on Sunday, September 27, but recent criticism of the playing surface has drawn attention from players, reporters and NFL officials.

Despite the concerns, the NFL is moving forward with the game as planned. The league has personnel on site working on the playing surface ahead of the Week 3 matchup.

The field situation has become one of the most closely followed storylines surrounding the NFL's first game in Rio de Janeiro.

NFL Rio Game 2026: Maracanã Field Conditions

Recent reports from Rio have raised questions about the condition of the grass at Maracanã. Soccer players and local football figures have publicly discussed irregularities in the playing surface, with concerns about bumps and traction.

The issue has received significant attention in the United States because the NFL game will feature some of the league's biggest stars, including Lamar Jackson of the Ravens and Dak Prescott of the Cowboys.

The NFL is aware of the concerns and has field specialists working at Maracanã before Sunday's game. The league's position is that the game will proceed at the stadium as scheduled.

The Dallas Cowboys have also acknowledged the importance of the playing surface and are preparing to evaluate the field before the game.

Lamar Jackson Responds to Maracanã Field Concerns

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson addressed the field discussion on Wednesday before Baltimore's trip to Brazil.

Jackson said he is not focusing on the condition of the field and expressed confidence that the NFL will properly evaluate the playing surface.

His comments came as the field became one of the dominant storylines surrounding the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro.

For Baltimore, the immediate priority remains preparing for the Cowboys and attempting to earn a second victory of the 2026 regular season.

NFL Rio Game 2026

Teams: Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026

Kickoff: 4:25 PM ET / 5:25 PM BRT

Venue: Maracanã Stadium

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Week: Week 3

Status: Scheduled to be played at Maracanã

U.S. TV: CBS

Will Ravens vs Cowboys Be Moved From Maracanã?

At this time, there is no indication that the NFL plans to move the game from Maracanã Stadium.

The league has continued preparations for Sunday's matchup despite the discussion surrounding the playing surface. NFL officials are working on the field, while both teams are expected to inspect and prepare for the conditions when they arrive in Rio.

Therefore, the current status is clear: Ravens vs. Cowboys is scheduled to take place at Maracanã Stadium on September 27.

Any change to the venue would require an official announcement from the NFL.

Why the Maracanã Field Has Become a Major Story

The attention surrounding the field is partly connected to the NFL's previous experience in Brazil.

The league played its first regular-season game in South America in 2024, when the Green Bay Packers faced the Philadelphia Eagles at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo.

The NFL returned to São Paulo in 2025 for a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.

Now, in 2026, the league is moving to Rio de Janeiro for the first NFL regular-season game at the legendary Maracanã Stadium.

NFL Games in Brazil: 2024, 2025 and 2026

Year	Matchup	Result	Venue	City	Attendance
2024	Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles	Eagles 34–29 Packers	Corinthians Arena	São Paulo	47,236
2025	Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers	Chargers 27–21 Chiefs	Corinthians Arena	São Paulo	47,627
2026	Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys	Scheduled	Maracanã Stadium	Rio de Janeiro	—

2024: Eagles Defeat Packers in Brazil

The NFL's first regular-season game in South America took place on September 6, 2024, at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo.

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-29 in a historic Week 1 matchup.

The official NFL game summary lists paid attendance at 47,236.

2025: Chargers Beat Chiefs in São Paulo

The NFL returned to Brazil in 2025 with another game at Corinthians Arena.

The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 on September 5, 2025.

The official NFL game summary recorded paid attendance of 47,627.

2026: NFL Comes to Rio de Janeiro

The 2026 NFL Rio Game represents the league's first regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro.

The Baltimore Ravens will face the Dallas Cowboys at Maracanã Stadium on Sunday, September 27.

According to the NFL, Brazil is one of its most important international markets, with more than 36 million NFL fans. The league has also committed to bringing at least three regular-season games to Rio de Janeiro over a five-year period.

The Rio game is therefore more than a single international matchup: it is part of the NFL's longer-term presence in Brazil.

Ravens vs. Cowboys Kickoff Time

The Ravens and Cowboys are scheduled to kick off at 4:25 PM Eastern Time on Sunday, September 27.

For fans in Brazil, kickoff is scheduled for 5:25 PM Brasília Time (BRT).

Location	Kickoff
Rio de Janeiro	5:25 PM BRT
New York / Eastern Time	4:25 PM ET
Chicago / Central Time	3:25 PM CT
Los Angeles / Pacific Time	1:25 PM PT

How to Watch Ravens vs. Cowboys in Brazil

NFL fans in Brazil will have several official options for watching the Rio Game.

The NFL's official Brazilian broadcast information lists sportv, ge tv and ge.globo among the live viewing options. The game will also be available through NFL Game Pass on DAZN.

The NFL has also announced that TV Globo will show the halftime performance featuring Brazilian artist Pedro Sampaio and international star Ricky Martin.

For the most up-to-date broadcast information, check the official listings before kickoff.

NFL Rio Game Halftime Show

The 2026 Rio Game will also feature a major entertainment component.

Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin are scheduled to perform during halftime at Maracanã.

The halftime show adds another Brazilian connection to the NFL's first game in Rio and is expected to be part of the league's broader international presentation of the event.

Ravens vs. Cowboys: Week 3

The matchup is part of Week 3 of the 2026 NFL regular season.

The Cowboys enter the international matchup after defeating the Washington Commanders 37-20 in Week 2, while the Ravens are preparing for their trip to Brazil as the two teams meet in an interconference game.

The NFL's official schedule lists the game as a Dallas Cowboys home game at Maracanã Stadium.

Why This NFL Brazil Game Matters

The NFL has now established Brazil as a recurring international market.

After two regular-season games in São Paulo in 2024 and 2025, the league's arrival in Rio de Janeiro expands the Brazilian footprint to another major sports city.

Maracanã also gives the NFL a globally recognized venue and places American football inside one of the most famous football stadiums in the world.

The league has described Brazil as one of its largest international fan markets, making the Rio Game an important part of its international strategy.

NFL Standings 2026

Follow the latest AFC and NFC division standings throughout the 2026 NFL season:

NFL Standings 2026

How to Watch NFL Games in 2026

Looking for information about NFL live streams, TV coverage and official viewing options during the 2026 season?

How to Watch NFL 2026

NFL Rio Game 2026 FAQ

When is Ravens vs. Cowboys in Brazil?

The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to play on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Where will Ravens vs. Cowboys be played?

The game is scheduled to take place at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

What time does Ravens vs. Cowboys start?

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 PM ET, which is 5:25 PM Brasília Time in Brazil.

Will Ravens vs. Cowboys be moved from Maracanã?

There is currently no indication of a venue change. The NFL is continuing preparations for the game at Maracanã despite concerns about the playing surface.

Why are people talking about the Maracanã field?

Recent reports have raised concerns about the condition of the playing surface, including its irregularity and traction. NFL field specialists are working on the surface ahead of the game.

Who is playing in the 2026 NFL Rio Game?

The Baltimore Ravens will face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL regular season.

How many NFL games have been played in Brazil?

The 2026 Rio Game will be the third regular-season NFL game in Brazil. The previous two were played in São Paulo in 2024 and 2025.

Who played in the first NFL game in Brazil?

The Green Bay Packers played the Philadelphia Eagles at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo on September 6, 2024.

Where can I find the latest NFL standings?

You can follow the latest AFC and NFC standings on our NFL Standings 2026 page.

---

Latest update: September 23, 2026

This article will be updated with the latest information about the Maracanã playing surface, Ravens vs. Cowboys, the NFL Rio Game and any official changes announced by the NFL.