NFL approves nine international games in 2026

NFL owners approved a resolution on May 19 allowing the league to play up to 10 international regular-season games in seasons after 2026, according to the NFL. The vote came after the league had already set a record nine international games for the 2026 season. The measure also removed clubs’ ability to protect two home games from being assigned internationally, the league said. The decision was announced from Orlando, Florida, during league meetings. ### What exactly did owners approve on May 19? The NFL said owners approved “an increase to 10 international games beyond this upcoming season” on Tuesday, May 19. In practice, that means the 2026 season remains at nine international games, while future seasons can go as high as 10. The May 19 resolution also removed the rule that let teams shield two games on their schedule from international assignment, according to the league’s report on the meeting. (nfl.com) That gives the NFL more flexibility when building future overseas slates. ### How big is the 2026 international schedule? The 2026 schedule includes nine regular-season games outside the United States, the NFL said in releases issued on May 13 and May 14. (nfl.com) The league described that lineup as record-breaking, with games across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums. Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, major events and international, said the 2026 season would be the league’s “most expansive and ambitious international slate yet,” according to the league’s May 13 release. (nfl.com) The host markets are Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich and Mexico City. (media.nfl.com) ### Which teams are already on the 2026 overseas calendar? The NFL’s published 2026 slate opens on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, where the San Francisco 49ers are scheduled to face the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The second announced game is Sept. 27 in Rio de Janeiro, where the Baltimore Ravens are set to play the Dallas Cowboys at Maracanã Stadium. (media.nfl.com) London will host three straight games in October, according to the league. The Indianapolis Colts will face the Washington Commanders on Oct. 4, the Philadelphia Eagles will play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 11, and the Jaguars will then meet the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 18. Paris, Madrid and Munich are also on the schedule. (media.nfl.com) The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the New Orleans Saints in Paris on Oct. 25, the Cincinnati Bengals will face the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid on Nov. 8, and the New England Patriots will meet the Detroit Lions in Munich on Nov. 15, the NFL said. Mexico City is also part of the 2026 lineup, though the league materials summarized in search results did not list every matchup in the excerpts reviewed here. ### Why does Jacksonville keep coming up in this expansion? Jacksonville is part of the 2026 plan because the Jaguars are scheduled to play back-to-back games in London, according to the NFL’s released schedule. The league said the Oct. 18 Wembley game will be Jacksonville’s 16th in London and the third time the club has played back-to-back games there in one season. (media.nfl.com) The Athletic also reported, as summarized in the briefing, that the Jaguars will play consecutive London games while EverBank Stadium is renovated. That makes Jacksonville a central example of how the league is fitting international games into regular scheduling logistics. ### What comes next from the league? The NFL has already published the 2026 international matchups, dates and host cities on its media and international-games pages. (media.nfl.com) Future decisions on whether to use the newly approved 10-game ceiling will come in later schedule cycles after 2026. The next concrete dates on the 2026 overseas calendar begin with the Sept. 10 opener in Melbourne and continue through Nov. 15 in Munich, with ticket and host-market updates posted through the NFL’s international games channels. (media.nfl.com)