The NFL’s upcoming game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Brazil will not be held in primetime this season, marking a departure from the league’s previous two Brazil games which aired on Friday nights in prime slots. The main factor behind this change is the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which prohibits the NFL from broadcasting games on Friday or Saturday nights between the second weekend of September and the second weekend of December. Because the 2026 season started on the second weekend of September, the Act's restrictions applied to Week 1. Although this second Brazil game is scheduled for Week 3, it will take place at 4:25 p.m. Eastern Time on a Sunday, rather than in primetime.

In past seasons, when the NFL’s Brazil games featured teams like the Eagles vs. Packers and Chargers vs. Chiefs, the league capitalized on a loophole due to the season starting earlier, enabling Friday night primetime broadcasts. The 2026 international kickoff game instead took place in Australia during the first week, featuring the Rams and 49ers. Due to Melbourne’s timezone, that game was shown in U.S. primetime on Thursday night, avoiding the Sports Broadcasting Act restrictions. Looking ahead, if the 2027 NFL schedule follows a similar calendar, international games airing in Week 1 will again face these broadcast limitations.

Another important reason for the Brazil game’s non-primetime scheduling is concerns over the reportedly poor playing field conditions in Rio de Janeiro, affected by heavy humidity and recent rainfall. The Maracanã Stadium surface is an ongoing worry for player safety and game quality. By setting an earlier local kickoff time, the NFL aims to reduce the impact of the wet and slippery field when it’s still daylight, potentially offering better playing conditions than a later night game would. Some speculate additional reasons, such as avoiding late-night crowds in a city with known evening safety issues, though these theories are less substantiated.

Despite these challenges, the NFL proceeded with the game in Rio, fully aware of the environmental and legislative constraints. This decision highlights the league’s commitment to expanding its global footprint, though it remains to be seen how they will navigate scheduling and field conditions in Brazil for future international contests. The Ravens-Cowboys matchup at Maracanã will be an intriguing case study in balancing broadcast regulations, player welfare, and market expansion efforts in emerging football regions.