NFL to play first game in Paris, return to Madrid and Mexico City

The NFL will play its first regular-season game in Paris next season with the New Orleans Saints named Monday as one of the participants.

The game will take place at the 80,000-seat Stade de France, France's national stadium that served as the host site for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"Bringing a regular-season game to Paris in 2026 marks an exciting next step in the continued expansion of the league's global footprint," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "Paris is one of the world's greatest sporting and cultural cities with tremendous success in hosting global events that unite fans on the biggest stages. Playing our first-ever regular-season game at the impressive Stade de France, together with the New Orleans Saints, underlines our continued global growth ambitions and we look forward to bringing the NFL to our passionate fans in France."

The Saints have international marketing rights in France, where the NFL claims to have more than 14 million fans.

"We are excited to be selected to play in the first regular-season game to be held in France," said Saints owner Gayle Benson. "This moment is special not only because of the strong cultural connection between Louisiana and France, but also because we will compete before a growing Saints fan base in Paris."

Also Monday, the NFL announced it returns to Madrid and Mexico City in 2026 with new multi-year agreements.

The league staged its first game in Spain during the 2025 season when the Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime on Nov. 16. The game drew 78,610 fans to Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium, which will once again serve as the venue under Monday's deal.

"It is an honor and a privilege for Real Madrid to host the NFL once again at the Bernabeu stadium," said Real Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno. "We experienced a historic first NFL Madrid game a few months ago, and this new agreement will allow the alliance between our club, the Community of Madrid, the City Council and the NFL to continue, strengthening the image of our capital and the Spanish brand around the world."

The Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Dolphins have marketing rights in Spain, where the NFL counts 11 million fans.

The NFL returns to Mexico City's Estadio Banorte for the first time since 2022 as the league has planned one game for each of the next three seasons. The NFL made its Mexico City debut in 2005 and claims to have 40 million fans in Mexico. The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers met in the 2005 debut as well as the 2022 game, but no teams have been announced for next year's contest.

"We are delighted to bring regular season NFL games back to Mexico City beginning in 2026, reaffirming our deep and long standing connection with fans across the country," said NFL Mexico Director General Arturo Olive. "Estadio Banorte has hosted some incredibly memorable moments in our international history, and returning here underscores our commitment to growing the sport at every level in the market."

In addition to visiting Paris, Madrid and Mexico City in 2026, the NFL will play its first game in Australia as Melbourne will host with the Los Angeles Rams as one of the participants. There will also be three games in London and one each in Munich, Germany, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

--Field Level Media