The NFL is heading to Rio de Janeiro for the first-ever NFL Rio Game, and the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are the teams tasked with making it happen. The game kicks off Sunday, Sept. 27, at Maracanã Stadium in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, with a start time of 4:25 p.m. ET/1:25 p.m. PT.
CBS carries the broadcast, and the league is featuring a big-name halftime show to mark the occasion. Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin are scheduled to perform during the halftime show, which starts around 5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT.
A First Trip to Rio
The NFL has played games in São Paulo, Brazil, since 2024. This is the first time the league has hosted a game in Rio de Janeiro.
The league has been expanding American Football around the world with regular season games in international cities like London, Mexico City, Melbourne, Berlin and Dublin. The NFL Rio Game continues that pattern, putting a premier matchup in front of a South American crowd.
The Matchup
The Ravens enter the game at 1-1, and the Cowboys sit at 1-1 as well. Both teams are looking for their second win of the season.
The game pits two of the NFL’s most prominent franchises against each other. It is also the first time the NFL has played a game in Rio de Janeiro.
Free Trials and Subscriptions
For cord-cutters, there are several ways to watch the game without a traditional cable subscription. DirecTV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV all offer free trials, so you can watch Ravens vs. Cowboys for free.
DirecTV has a five-day free trial. Fubo also offers a five-day free trial for new users. Hulu + Live TV starts at $89.99 per month for more than 100 live channels, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN at no additional cost.
Paramount+ has the NFL Rio Game on CBS streaming online, as well as past seasons. The streaming service plan goes for $8.99 per month (or $89.99 per year). Walmart+ offers access to Paramount+ at no extra cost through its rewards program, and the retailer also runs a 30-day trial for testing the service.
Subscription Costs Compared
| Service | Price | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| DirecTV | $59.99/month for 3 months, then $89.99/month | Includes CBS, ESPN |
| FuboTV | $63.99 first month, then $88.99/month | More than 230 channels |
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99/month | More than 100 live channels, Hulu, Disney+, ESPN |
| Paramount+ | $8.99/month or $89.99/year | CBS, past seasons |
The Halftime Show
The halftime show is a major part of the event. Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin are scheduled to perform during the halftime show, which starts around 5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT.
The NFL is known for celebrity sightings at its games. Artists have appeared at games in the past, including Brazilian NFL fans, Anitta, Luísa Sonza and Neymar Jr.
The Free-Trial Offers
The free trials are the easiest entry point for cord-cutters. DirecTV’s five-day free trial gets you CBS and ESPN.
Fubo’s five-day free trial is another route, with more than 230 channels available. Hulu + Live TV is the most expensive of the three, but it bundles Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN with your subscription.
Paramount+ is the cheapest standalone option, at $8.99 per month, though the $1 deal through Walmart+ is the better value if you’re willing to commit to the retailer’s rewards program.
What to Expect
The game is set to be a showcase for the league’s global ambitions. The NFL has been playing regular season games in international cities for years, and this is the first time the league has traveled to Rio de Janeiro.
The stadium is a major venue, and the league is treating the game as a statement about its presence in South America. The halftime show adds star power to an already significant occasion.
The Bottom Line
The NFL Rio Game is a genuine novelty. The league has played in Brazil before, but this is the first time it has traveled to Rio de Janeiro.
The Ravens and Cowboys are two of the NFL’s most prominent franchises, and a 1-1 matchup between them adds weight to the occasion. The halftime show with Sampaio and Ricky Martin is the kind of spectacle that draws casual viewers.
The free-trial offers are plentiful, and the $1 Walmart+ deal through Paramount+ is the most accessible way to watch for those who want to try the service without commitment.
The game is a chance to see American Football in a new setting, with a major halftime show attached. For cord-cutters, the options are generous.
The NFL’s global push continues, and Rio de Janeiro is the latest stop on that road.
Source material: “NFL Rio Game 2026: Here’s Where to Watch the Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys Game Live Online,” Billboard.
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