The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 in overtime on Sunday at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, drawing a record-setting 24.9 million television viewers in the United States and filling local hotels to near capacity during the NFL International Game.
Maracanã Stadium Welcomes Record Crowds for NFL Debut
According to HotéisRIO, the hotel union and lodging association, Rio de Janeiro recorded an average hotel occupancy rate of 77.90% over the weekend. Leme and Copacabana led all neighborhoods with a 95.72% occupancy rate, closely followed by Ipanema and Leblon at 94.24%.
Broadcasting and Attendance Benchmarks Set in Brazil
On the field, the Cowboys and Ravens combined for 65 total points—the highest-scoring NFL game ever played in Brazil—decided by a game-winning field goal in overtime.
In the United States, CBS reported that the broadcast reached 24.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched NFL International Game in league history.
Tourism and Travel Surge Around the Fixture
Transportation demand spiked ahead of the weekend kickoff. Data released by bus ticketing platform ClickBus showed a 200% increase in searches for travel to Rio de Janeiro between September 25 and 27, compared to the previous week.
The top ten cities searching for bus tickets to the capital were São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Juiz de Fora, Campinas, Volta Redonda, Curitiba, Vitória, Teresópolis, Brasília, and Petrópolis.
Hospitality Sector Eyes Long-Term Growth
Joaquim Lo Prete, director of the hospitality agency that commercialized travel packages for the event, stated that the growth of the NFL in Brazil indicates the market has moved past simple curiosity into a phase of stability. Lo Prete noted that the expanding demand allows the hospitality sector to connect sports, tourism, and brand engagement during major international events.
https://x.com/jonmachota/status/2105041911706755318
The game marks a shift in scale for the league in South America. Following two regular-season games in São Paulo in 2024 and 2025, the NFL has secured a long-term commitment with Rio de Janeiro to host at least three regular-season games over a five-year span, with return visits scheduled for 2028 and 2030.
Common Questions About the NFL Rio Game
What was the final score of the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys game in Rio de Janeiro?
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 in overtime on Sunday.
What was the attendance at the Maracanã stadium?
The game brought 72,972 fans to the Maracanã, marking the highest attendance for a sporting event in Brazil this year.
How many viewers watched the game in the United States?
According to CBS, the broadcast drew 24.9 million viewers, setting a record for the most-watched NFL International Game in league history.
When will the NFL return to Rio de Janeiro?
The NFL has a long-term agreement scheduled to bring regular-season games back to Rio de Janeiro in 2028 and 2030.
Keep reading