GLENDALE — Rumors are circulating that the Arizona Cardinals could play south of the border in 2026.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to El Heraldo de México, the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys are being considered to play a regular-season game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
🏈🇲🇽 ¡La NFL está de vuelta en México!
Todo apunta a que los Dallas Cowboys y los Arizona Cardinals serían los protagonistas del juego que marcará el regreso de la liga al Estadio Azteca en 2026. 🔥
El rumor tomó fuerza luego de que John Sutcliffe revelara este posible… pic.twitter.com/xFxH2UkcKg
— El Heraldo Deportes MX (@HeraldoDep_MX) October 21, 2025
Nov 21, 2022; Mexico City, MEX; Fans react during the first half of the Monday Night Football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
While there has been no confirmation from the league yet, an international game would put Arizona on the global radar.
The NFL has held games in Mexico in previous seasons, with the country being the second most important market after the United States. The Cardinals’ last appearance there was in 2022 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Nov 21, 2022; Mexico City, MEX; (L to R) R.J. Apana, Alie Chaidez, and Kristie Bullis of Phoenix, Arizona pose prior to the NFL International Series Monday Night Football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals at Estadio Azteca. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
The Cowboys are also among the most popular NFL teams within the demographic, with 8.7% of Mexicans selecting the Texas team as their favorite in a survey by El Heraldo de México earlier this year.
Pairing Arizona and Dallas would align two franchises with strong Mexican and Mexican American fanbases. A fan marketing moment with two fanbases like these would work exceptionally well for the league.
Nov 21, 2022; Mexico City, MEX; Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez (76) carries the Mexican flag onto the field prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half at Estadio Azteca. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
For football fans in Mexico, it would be an opportunity to see their favorite players on home soil. Many players also have family ties to Mexico, including Cardinals’ Will Hernandez.
The game wouldn’t be treated like a typical regular-season matchup. On the contrary, it would be viewed as a cultural event, as the league combines one of the United States’ most popular sports with Mexico’s heritage and passion for sports. This celebration extends beyond the field.
Nov 21, 2022; Mexico City, MEXICO; A general view inside Estadio Azteca as the national anthems are played prior to the Monday Night Football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
While the game has not been confirmed, the merging of fandoms and cultures presents an opportunity that neither the NFL, the Cardinals, nor the Cowboys are likely to pass up.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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