Key Highlights
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys marks the NFL’s first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro, hosted at the iconic Maracanã Stadium on Sept. 27 at 4:25 p.m. ET.
- The Week 3 matchup airs free on UK broadcaster Channel 5, with global access achievable via a VPN service such as ExpressVPN.
- Both teams enter at 1-1: Dallas carries momentum from a Week 2 win over Washington, while Baltimore seeks to rebound from a loss to New Orleans.
Historic NFL Debut in Rio de Janeiro
The National Football League will make history on Sept. 27 when the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys meet at Maracanã Stadium, the legendary home of Brazilian soccer club Flamengo. This contest represents the league’s first regular-season game played in Rio de Janeiro, expanding the NFL’s international footprint beyond previous ventures in London, Munich, and Mexico City. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET, placing the game in a prime late-afternoon window for U.S. audiences while introducing American football to a Brazilian crowd in one of the world’s most storied sports venues.
Team Form and Stakes for Week 3
Both franchises arrive with identical 1-1 records, but divergent trajectories. The Cowboys enter on an upswing after a decisive Week 2 victory over the Washington Commanders, a performance that stabilized early-season concerns. The Ravens, meanwhile, are working to correct course following a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. For Baltimore, the game offers a chance to prove resilience on a global stage; for Dallas, it is an opportunity to build credible momentum before the schedule intensifies. The neutral-site environment adds an unpredictable variable, as neither team will benefit from traditional home-field advantage.
How to Watch the Game Internationally
UK viewers can watch the broadcast free-to-air on Channel 5, which holds rights to select NFL games this season. However, Channel 5’s stream is geo-restricted to the United Kingdom. Viewers outside the UK — including those in the United States, where the game airs on paid networks — can access the free feed by using a virtual private network (VPN) to route their connection through a UK server. This method masks the user’s actual IP address, making it appear as though they are browsing from within the UK, thereby unlocking the Channel 5 live stream.
VPN Options for Global Access
ExpressVPN is widely cited as a leading choice for streaming sports due to its server network spanning 105 countries — including multiple UK endpoints — fast connection speeds without throttling, and a strict no-logging policy. The service supports up to 10 simultaneous connections across iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and other platforms. A 30-day money-back guarantee allows users to test the service risk-free; a two-year plan is currently priced at $68.40 (81% off) and includes four additional months free plus a year of unlimited cloud backup. A one-month plan remains available at $12.99. While not a long-term substitute for a domestic subscription, the guarantee window provides sufficient time to stream this game and additional NFL fixtures before requesting a refund.
Why This Matters
The Rio de Janeiro game signals the NFL’s accelerating international strategy, targeting Brazil’s massive and passionate sports market. Maracanã Stadium, with a capacity exceeding 78,000, offers a showcase venue that elevates the league’s global brand. For broadcasters, the Channel 5 free-to-air model in the UK contrasts with the paywall-heavy U.S. landscape, highlighting regional differences in sports media rights. The VPN workaround underscores ongoing tension between territorial licensing and consumer demand for borderless access — a dynamic shaping the future of live sports distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Ravens vs. Cowboys game played?
The game kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sept. 27 at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — the NFL’s first regular-season game in the city.
Can I watch the game for free outside the UK?
Yes. Channel 5 streams the game free in the UK. By connecting to a UK VPN server (such as ExpressVPN), viewers abroad can access the same free stream.
What are the current records and recent results for both teams?
Both teams are 1-1. Dallas defeated the Washington Commanders in Week 2; Baltimore lost to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.