Melbourne is set to host a major global sporting first, with the NFL confirming a regular season clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday 11 September 2026.
The game, kicking off at around 10.35am AEST, will mark the first time an NFL regular season match has been played in Australia, placing Melbourne firmly on the map as a key international sporting destination.
Already known for hosting the Australian Open and the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne will become the first city in the world to add an NFL regular season game to that list.
The event is expected to draw a massive global audience, with the game broadcast live into the United States during prime time. The scale of the opportunity is significant, with February’s Super Bowl peaking at more than 137 million viewers and regular season games in 2025 averaging close to 19 million viewers.
“We are thrilled to be able to confirm the time and date for Australia’s first-ever regular-season NFL game at the MCG between the Rams and 49ers – a match-up that has created plenty of hype and excitement,” said NFL General Manager Australia and New Zealand Charlotte Offord.
“We know that there is already plenty of appetite for this game, both in Australia and internationally, and we’re looking forward to getting tickets on sale in the coming weeks for what we know is going to be an incredible NFL experience for our fans down under.”
Beyond the on-field action, the event is expected to drive a major boost for Victoria’s tourism and hospitality sectors, with interstate and international visitors set to fill hotels, restaurants and venues across the city.
Local interest is already strong, with more than 151,000 people registering for ticket updates, a number that surged after the 49ers were confirmed as the Rams’ opponents. Pre-sale tickets will be available from 9:00am on Wednesday 1 April, with general public sales opening on Wednesday 8 April.
For more information or to sign up for updates, visit www.nfl.com
