The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are officially headed to Australia to play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the 2026 NFL season. The historic announcement was made official by the NFL during a broadcast of the Pat McAfee Show, confirming earlier reports from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
This matchup represents the league's first-ever regular-season foray into the Australian market. The MCG, a venue renowned globally for its massive capacity and sporting history, will serve as the backdrop for this divisional clash between two of the league's premier franchises. Both the 49ers and the Rams have been granted international marketing rights in Australia as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program, making them the natural choices for this inaugural event.
By bringing the game to Melbourne, the NFL continues its aggressive international expansion, adding Australia to a list of host countries that includes England, Germany, Mexico, and Brazil. The move to the 2026 season allows for significant lead time in logistics and ticket sales for what is expected to be a sell-out event at the 100,000-seat stadium.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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