The NFL has announced that it will return to Mexico City as a venue for regular season games from the forthcoming 2026 season, marking a major recommitment to one of the league’s most important international markets.

According to the new agreement, games will be played in Mexico City for the next three seasons, 2026-28, at the newly-renovated Estadio Banorte, formerly known as Estadio Azteca. The multi-year deal reinforces the NFL’s long-standing relationship with Mexico, which represents the league’s largest fanbase outside the United States, estimated at more than 40 million fans.

“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 Olivé. “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.”

Mexico City has hosted five previous regular season NFL games, most recently in 2022 prior to the stadium undergoing renovations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and has been a cornerstone of the league’s global expansion strategy for nearly three decades.

Stadium officials also highlighted the significance of the agreement following extensive renovations to the venue.

“Estadio Banorte is incredibly proud to continue making history as the home of the NFL in Mexico,” said deputy general director Félix Aguirre. “This multi-year agreement with the NFL will allow hundreds of thousands of fans to enjoy regular season games at one of the world’s most iconic stadiums.”

As part of the announcement, the NFL also confirmed an extension of its broadcast partnership with TelevisaUnivision, which has served as an official NFL media partner for 60 years. The renewed agreement expands access to live games and NFL programming nationwide, including coverage on Canal 5 and Canal 9.

“We are also pleased to extend and expand our broadcast partnership with TelevisaUnivision, ensuring fans nationwide can enjoy greater access to NFL programming,” Olivé added. “This is an exciting moment for the NFL in Mexico, and we look forward to building on this momentum for years to come.”

Beyond marquee games, the NFL continues to invest heavily in grassroots development across the country. The league has maintained an office in Mexico City since 1998 and supports year-round initiatives including NFL Flag, community impact programmes and youth development. Flag football, which will debut as an Olympic sport at Los Angeles 2028, has seen rapid growth in Mexico, with NFL Flag projected to reach 3.3 million participants nationwide this year.

Mexico is also a key territory within the NFL’s Global Markets Programme, with 10 franchises holding marketing rights in the country to grow fandom through events, partnerships and commercial opportunities.

The Mexico City announcement comes as the NFL prepares for its most ambitious international slate to date. The league will now stage nine international regular season games in 2026 — the most ever — spanning four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums, adding to the 62 regular season NFL games that have already been played outside the United States.