The NFL Returns to Mexico! Azteca will host a match in 2026

The NFL Returns to Mexico! Azteca will host a match in 2026

Confirmed: Elite American football returns to Mexico City after a necessary pause due to renovations.

The wait is over for fervent Mexican American football fans. Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the National Football League (NFL), has officially revealed that the league will return to Mexico City in December 2026. This announcement, full of enthusiasm, promises to revive the passion for this sport in one of its most important markets outside the United States.

The last time the NFL set foot on Mexican soil was on November 21, 2022, in a vibrant match where the San Francisco 49ers decisively beat the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 38-10. Although the league's intention was to maintain a continuous presence, the ambitious remodeling works on the iconic Azteca Stadium, preparing it for the 2026 World Cup, made it impossible to hold matches in 2023 and 2024.

Goodell highlighted the importance of this return: “The Azteca Stadium has been renovated for the World Cup, so this will be an opportunity for us to return. Our ambition is to have greater global significance.” And Mexico is not just any market for the NFL; It is positioned as the country with the largest number of followers of professional American football outside of American borders, almost 40 million souls vibrate with every play!

Arturo Olivé, General Director of NFL Mexico, shared the excitement of the moment: “This is an exciting moment for the NFL in Mexico, and we hope to continue building on this momentum in the coming years.” The Azteca Stadium, with a rich history that includes six regular season games since 2005, is preparing to once again host the spectacle of the NFL.

The San Francisco 49ers, a team that has shown great willingness to participate in international meetings, are strong candidates to be one of the protagonists in this return to Mexico City. Goodell acknowledged his interest: “The 49ers from day one raised their hand and said they are ready. I have no doubt they will want to participate.”

This event in Mexico is part of an unprecedented global expansion of the NFL. The league has confirmed its presence in other world-renowned venues. For the second consecutive year, the NFL will hold a game at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. In addition, matches will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, with the Los Angeles Rams already confirmed. The legendary Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will also join the list, as will the FC Bayern Munich Arena in Munich, Germany. London, for its part, will host three matches.

In total, nine games will be played outside the United States in the 2026 season, the most in league history. Goodell's vision is ambitious: “The goal we must achieve is 16 games, so that each team plays a regular season game each off season.” This plan seeks to consolidate the global presence of the NFL and offer fans around the world the opportunity to experience the excitement of live sports.