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- ‘College Football Brasil’ game to be held at Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos
- Rio de Janeiro to host NFL games from 2026
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will stage the first ever college football game in South America next year, with North Carolina State and Virginia to open the 2026 season in Rio de Janeiro.
The matchup will take place on 29th August at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos, home of Botafogo, which seats approximately 46,900 fans. Branded as ‘College Football Brasil’, the game will be broadcast in the US on ESPN, with further streaming options currently under discussion. The fixture, which will count towards the ACC standings, is being organised by the Athlete Advantage agency in partnership with Brazil Sport Business.
Rio de Janeiro is no stranger to major sporting events, having previously hosted Fifa World Cup matches, the Olympic Games and the Copa América.
In addition, the Brazilian city is preparing to host its first National Football League (NFL) regular season game next year after signing a multi-year deal with the league. Beginning next season, at least three games will be played over the next five years at the 78,800-seater Maracanã Stadium.
Rio will become the long-term home of the NFL’s games in Brazil, following São Paulo’s hosting of one fixture in both 2024 and 2025. The NFL has previously estimated that Brazil is home to more than 36 million American football fans, giving the country the league’s second-largest international fan base.
The ACC said Rio de Janeiro was chosen for ‘its world-class infrastructure, history of hosting global events, and deep passion for football’.
“Hosting this college American football game in Rio de Janeiro is more than a sporting event, it is a strategic opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the North American market, currently one of the most relevant for tourism in the state of Rio,” said Gustavo Tutuca, Rio de Janeiro’s state secretary of tourism.
“Visitors from the United States have high spending potential, stay longer in the state, and already represent a fundamental part of our international growth. Without a doubt, we will further increase Rio’s visibility in the US, reinforcing our commitment to positioning the state among the world’s top destinations across all segments.”
Much like the NFL, college football conferences have increasingly taken games overseas. Next year will see Dublin again host the Aer Lingus Classic in August, while the Big 12 has confirmed a game will be held in London next year for the first time.
“To have NC State and Virginia open our conference schedule on an international stage in Rio de Janeiro speaks to the vision, innovation, and collaboration of our league,” said Jim Phillips, commissioner of the ACC. “This is an extraordinary moment for the ACC and for college football.
“We appreciate College Football Brasil for this incredible opportunity to celebrate our student-athletes and highlight the global appeal of the ACC, our schools, and the sport of football. We’re proud of both institutions for leading the way in this historic event and our partners at ESPN, who will broadcast this premier event.”
SportsPro says…
College football is a behemoth in the US. In an increasingly competitive landscape, universities pour millions into training facilities and coaching staff in order to secure lucrative broadcast and commercial deals that make the sport such a vital revenue source.
Playing overseas offers schools and conferences the chance to expand their visibility globally, particularly in markets where the NFL already enjoys strong popularity. International games can also help attract non-American brands into partnerships and open new pathways to engage football fans abroad.
Brazil has become an increasing focus for the NFL, which is committed to staging games there to capitalise on the country’s vast fan base. By becoming the first schools to play in South America, Virginia and NC State will be hoping to tap into this growing interest in American football next year.
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