Sep 20·Sports
Follow-up Sep 27 Major10
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NFL's First Rio Game Proceeds Despite Field Deterioration Concerns
The NFL will host its first regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro on September 27, with the Dallas Cowboys facing the Baltimore Ravens at Maracanã Stadium, proceeding despite field deterioration caused by record rainfall and heavy soccer use. NFL field director Nick Pappas confirmed the league has management plans in place and stated there are currently no concerns, though Brazilian soccer players have publicly criticized the pitch conditions and relocation remains a contingency option.
Quick Facts
- NFL regular-season game scheduled to proceed
- Field deterioration at Maracanã Stadium
- Record rainfall over preceding six weeks
- Heavy use by local soccer clubs (Flamengo and Fluminense)
- Soccer players criticizing pitch conditions
The NFL will proceed with its first regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro on September 27, featuring the Dallas Cowboys against the Baltimore Ravens at Maracanã Stadium, despite significant field condition concerns raised by local soccer players and media observers.
The stadium's grass surface has deteriorated due to record rainfall over the preceding six weeks and heavy use by local soccer clubs Flamengo and Fluminense, which average two matches per week. Flamengo goalkeeper Agustín Rossi and midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta publicly criticized the pitch in recent days, with Rossi describing conditions as "unbelievable" and noting "bumps everywhere" in both penalty areas. De Arrascaeta stated the field "keeps getting worse" and makes ball control difficult. One additional soccer match was scheduled for September 20, just days before the NFL contest.
The NFL has deployed mitigation measures to address the situation. Field director Nick Pappas stated on September 21 that there are "no concerns right now" about field readiness, citing the league's preparedness to manage the challenges. The NFL sent a protective tarp to Rio approximately one week before the game and dispatched a team on-site to begin stadium preparation. Pappas noted that the league had developed management plans and explained that American football and soccer have different field requirements, suggesting some soccer player concerns may not apply to NFL play. Ravens coach Jesse Minter said the team is "in contact with the league" and feels "pretty good about it."
Relocation remains a contingency option, though NFL officials have stated it is not a current conversation. The Cowboys are designated as the home team; if the game were to move, Dallas would be the obvious alternative venue. This precedent was set in 2018 when the NFL relocated a Chiefs-Rams game from Mexico City to Los Angeles six days before kickoff due to field conditions at Estadio Azteca. The 2024 Eagles-Packers game in São Paulo also drew field complaints, leading the NFL to invest approximately $1 million in pitch improvements at Arena Corinthians.
Both teams arrive Thursday evening and will practice Friday in Rio. The Ravens (1-1) and Cowboys (1-1) enter as 1-1 teams. This marks the NFL's third game in Brazil but the first in Rio; the previous two were played in São Paulo. The league is conducting a record nine international games during the 2026 season.
Why This Matters
This marks the NFL's first regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro and third overall in Brazil, expanding the league's international footprint. Field deterioration—caused by six weeks of record rainfall and twice-weekly soccer matches—has drawn criticism from local players and created operational uncertainty. While the NFL has confirmed mitigation measures and field readiness, the precedent of relocating a 2018 game due to pitch conditions means travel logistics, team preparation, and broadcast scheduling remain dependent on ongoing assessments through game day. The league is simultaneously conducting a record nine international games in 2026, making Brazil's infrastructure performance material to future international expansion plans.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2024
WireNFL plays first game in Brazil; Eagles vs. Packers at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo
Jan 1, 2024
WireNFL invested approximately $1 million in pitch improvements at Arena Corinthians
Sep 25, 2026
WireTeams arrive in Rio and prepare for game (Friday morning)
Sep 27, 2026
WireCowboys vs Ravens game scheduled at Maracanã Stadium, 4:25 p.m. EDT
Related Signals
Sources
- Maracana Campo Preocupacion Ravens Cowboys Pappas 76df1d34847fa6c0adb0372c03f0ac2bapWireSep 21, 2026
- Ravens Cowboys Nfl Rio Maracana Stadium 0f09b4d78a8fcea297390da713f2f1fdapWireSep 24, 2026
- Cowboys Ravens Preview Rio De Janeiro E1a327bf5af46c8478a4fbd31bb67efbapWireSep 24, 2026
- Nfl Rio De Janeiro Brasil Cowboys Ravens F495da472898086619ee193941fb352capWireSep 25, 2026
- NFL is aware of potential issues with field in Brazil for Ravens-CowboysNBC SportsMediaSep 20, 2026
- ‘Cancel Overseas Games,’ ‘Just Play in Dallas’ — Calls Mount for NFL To Relocate Cowboys-Ravens Brazil Game As Poor Field Conditions Ignite ControversyYahoo SportsMediaSep 20, 2026
- NFL Brazil: Significant worries emerge surrounding field conditions at Maracanã ahead of Cowboys vs RavensA to Z SportsMediaSep 18, 2026
- NFL: 'No concerns' over field conditions in Rio for Cowboys-RavensESPNMediaSep 21, 2026
- NFL Pushing Ahead With Brazil Game Amid Field Complaints: ‘Bumps Everywhere’Front Office SportsMediaSep 20, 2026
- Ravens vs. Cowboys: Three must-know storylines for NFL's first-ever game in Rio de JaneiroNFL.comMediaSep 25, 2026