NFL Announces Major 2026 International Expansion and New Netflix Streaming Deals

May 13, 2026, 22:35
AustraliaSports

Introduction

The National Football League has revealed a record-breaking international schedule and expanded media agreements with Netflix before releasing the full 2026 regular-season calendar.

Main Body

The 2026 season will feature a historic nine-game international schedule across four continents and seven countries. This expansion includes the league's first games in Australia, where the San Francisco 49ers will play the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on September 10, and in France, where the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the New Orleans Saints in Paris on October 25. Other games are scheduled for Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Munich, Mexico City, and London. Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized that the league aims to increase this to 16 international games per season. Consequently, the San Francisco 49ers are expected to travel a record 38,000 miles due to these global commitments. At the same time, the NFL has strengthened its partnership with Netflix, extending their agreement until 2029. The streaming service will broadcast five games in 2026, including the Melbourne opener, a new Thanksgiving Eve game, a Christmas Day doubleheader, and a Week 18 match. Furthermore, Netflix will have exclusive rights to the NFL Honors ceremony. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos asserted that this 'event-based' strategy is designed to match the shift toward on-demand streaming, which is often more affordable than traditional cable TV packages. Regarding domestic games, a highlight will be the opening of Buffalo's new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium in Week 2, where the Bills will host the Detroit Lions. This event has caused ticket prices on the secondary market to rise sharply, with some reaching $663. Additionally, the league continues to focus on holiday games, with the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving Day.

Conclusion

The NFL continues to move toward a global and streaming-focused business model as it prepares to release the full 2026 schedule this Thursday.

Learning

🚀 The "Connection" Secret: Moving from Basic to Fluid

At the A2 level, you likely use words like and, but, and because. To hit B2, you need to stop making a list of sentences and start building a web of ideas.

Look at how the article links complex ideas. This is the "B2 Bridge."

🔗 The Transition Toolset

Instead of simple connectors, notice these three power-moves used in the text:

  1. The Result Linker: Consequently

    • A2 Style: The team plays in Australia and they travel a lot.
    • B2 Style: The team plays in Australia; consequently, they travel a record 38,000 miles.
    • Why? It shows a cause-and-effect relationship. It tells the reader why the distance matters.

  2. The Addition Layer: Furthermore

    • A2 Style: Netflix shows games. Also, they show the awards.
    • B2 Style: Netflix will broadcast five games... furthermore, they will have exclusive rights to the NFL Honors.
    • Why? It signals that you are adding a new, important point to your argument, not just listing facts.

  3. The Topic Shifter: Regarding

    • A2 Style: Now I will talk about the stadium.
    • B2 Style: Regarding domestic games, a highlight will be the opening of Buffalo's new stadium.
    • Why? It allows you to pivot the conversation professionally without sounding abrupt.

🛠️ Quick Upgrade Guide

Try replacing your 'A2 words' with these 'B2 alternatives' from the text:

Instead of... (A2)Try this... (B2)Example from text
SayAssert/Emphasize"Ted Sarandos asserted..."
ChangeShift"...the shift toward on-demand streaming."
Big/GreatHistoric/Major"...a historic nine-game schedule."

The Pro Tip: B2 is not about using the biggest words; it's about using the right words to show how ideas relate to one another.

Vocabulary Learning

record-breaking (adj.)
Setting a new record; better than any previous example.
Example:The team's record-breaking performance earned them the championship title.
international (adj.)
Relating to more than one country or worldwide.
Example:The league announced an international schedule featuring games in Australia and France.
expanded (adj.)
Made larger or more extensive.
Example:The media agreements were expanded to include new streaming rights.
media (n.)
The industry that creates and distributes news and entertainment content.
Example:The media covered the opening of the new stadium with enthusiasm.
schedule (n.)
A plan that lists events or tasks with their times.
Example:Fans eagerly awaited the release of the 2026 schedule.
historic (adj.)
Important in history; famous or memorable.
Example:The nine-game international schedule was historic for the league.
continent (n.)
A large continuous landmass on Earth.
Example:The games will be played across four continents.
partnership (n.)
A cooperative relationship between two or more parties.
Example:The partnership with Netflix extended the league's reach.
streaming (adj.)
Relating to the real-time delivery of audio or video over the internet.
Example:The streaming service will broadcast five games in 2026.
exclusive (adj.)
Limited to one person or group; not shared.
Example:Netflix has exclusive rights to the NFL Honors ceremony.
strategy (n.)
A plan of action designed to achieve a goal.
Example:The event-based strategy aims to match the shift toward on-demand streaming.
shift (n.)
A change or movement from one position to another.
Example:The league is shifting toward a global and streaming-focused business model.