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NFL Schedules First Regular-Season Game in Australia Between Rams and 49ers

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NFL Confirms First Regular-Season Game in Australia: Rams vs. 49ers at MCG

The National Football League (NFL) has confirmed plans to host its first regular-season game in Australia, featuring the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. The match is scheduled for Friday, September 11, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). While most sources refer to the game as scheduled for September 11, one source specifies the date as Friday, September 11, 2026, though it also provides ticketing dates in April of the current year.

Game Details

The Los Angeles Rams will play the San Francisco 49ers, both NFC West divisional rivals, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne. The game is scheduled for 10:35 AM AEST on Friday, September 11. For viewers in the United States, the game will be broadcast live on Thursday, September 10, at 8:35 p.m. ET / 5:35 p.m. PT. The specific US broadcast network has not yet been announced.

This event marks the first regular-season NFL game to be played in Australia.

The Rams have been designated as the home team for this inaugural match, aligning with a multi-year agreement the NFL announced last year to host games in Melbourne.

Scheduling Context and Potential Conflicts

The game's scheduling on a Friday in September may coincide with the Australian Football League (AFL) finals series, specifically during its semi-final week. AFL executive General Manager of Football, Greg Swann, has previously stated that the MCG can be prepared for an AFL final one day after the NFL game. However, a potential scheduling conflict could arise if two Victorian teams were to secure semi-final hosting rights, making a Friday MCG final unfeasible.

Reports indicate that the NFL had considered playing the game on a Thursday morning (Wednesday night US time) as a season opener. This alternative scheduling would have allowed the Rams and 49ers an earlier return to the US and potentially avoided conflicts with the AFL. However, the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are expected to open the season at home, maintaining a league tradition, the day before the Rams-49ers game.

A US law passed in 1961 prohibits the NFL from playing games on Friday nights (which would be Saturday Australian time) to prevent competition with high school football. This restriction was not applied when the Kansas City Chiefs played the LA Chargers in Brazil on a Friday during Week 1 of the previous season.

Given the substantial travel requirements, the Rams-49ers game is anticipated to occur in the opening week of the NFL season, with both teams expected to receive a bye week immediately following the game.

Travel Considerations

Both the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are based on the U.S. West Coast, necessitating an approximate 16-hour flight to Melbourne. Sports analyst Pat McAfee, who has visited Australia, discussed the extensive flight, noting its duration and lack of internet access. 49ers player George Kittle also commented on the prospect of the 16-hour flight.

Ticketing Information

Ticket sales for the game will commence with various presale and general public access phases:

  • Rams’ Season-Ticket Members Presale: Wednesday, April 1, at 2 p.m. PT.
  • MCC Members Pre-sale: Wednesday, April 1, at 10:00 AM AEDT via Ticketmaster.
  • Hospitality Packages: Available via Ticketmaster starting Monday, April 6, at 5 p.m. PT.
  • General Access Tickets (US): On sale to the public through Ticketmaster on Tuesday, April 7, at 5 p.m. PT.
  • Public Tickets (Australia): On sale Wednesday, April 8, at 10:00 AM AEST via Ticketmaster.

Ticketmaster is identified as the official ticketing agency for this event, with all tickets to be purchased online.

International Expansion Efforts

This game aligns with the NFL's broader strategy to expand its global presence. The league has previously hosted regular-season games in Mexico (the first outside the US in 2005), England, Ireland, Germany, Brazil, and Spain. France is also scheduled to host a match in Paris later this year, with the New Orleans Saints designated as the home team.

Statements from Rams Head of International Stephanie Cheng and NFL Australia & New Zealand General Manager Charlotte Offord noted the anticipation surrounding the event and its significance for the NFL's international initiatives.

Kevin Demoff, president of the LA Rams, indicated that bringing the annual match-up to the MCG underscored its historical significance.