The Denver Broncos won't be packing their passports for the 2026 NFL season, but don't be surprised if they're heading south of the border in 2027.

The NFL recently announced its international slate for the upcoming season, and the Broncos are notably absent. Instead, the San Francisco 49ers will host the Minnesota Vikings at Estadio Azteca (now known as Estadio Banorte) in Mexico City this fall. Many fans had pegged Denver as a strong candidate for that game, given that the Broncos are on San Francisco's schedule this year and Mexico is their designated international market. But the league opted for a different matchup.

Here's the strategic twist: The NFL's unbalanced 17-game schedule means the AFC and NFC alternate between hosting eight or nine home games each season. This year, the NFC gets the extra home game, but in 2027, it's the AFC's turn. That's where the Broncos come in.

By league rules, Denver must "host" an international game by the 2028 season. With an extra home game on the horizon in 2027, it would make perfect sense for the Broncos to use that opportunity to play abroad—and Mexico remains the most logical destination. The team has a strong fan base in the region, and the vibrant atmosphere of Estadio Azteca would be a fitting stage for the orange and blue.

While this is still speculation, the pieces are aligning. For now, Broncos fans can focus on the 2026 season at home, but keep an eye on 2027—Denver might just be heading to Mexico for a game that feels more like a fiesta than a road trip.