- The NFL Melbourne Game will be first ever regular season game in Australia
- LA Rams confirmed as a designated team
- 6.6 million NFL fans currently reside in Australia
The NFL is heading down under. The league announced a multiyear deal yesterday (February 5) to make the NFL Melbourne Game a fixture on the regular season calendar, beginning in 2026.
This expansion into the southern hemisphere comes after the International Series made its way to Brazil for the first time in 2024 and heads to Madrid for its premiere Spanish excursion next season.
Speaking on the deal to have games played in Melbourne from 2026 onwards, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth. Together with the Victorian State Government, Visit Victoria and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and with the Los Angeles Rams in 2026, we look forward to making history in what is an important market for the NFL and a significant next step in expanding our international footprint.”
With the announcement being made in New Orleans just days before the city hosts the Super Bowl, the intention is clear that this is a major moment for the NFL as they make headway into a new marketplace. There are reported to be somewhere in the region of 6.6 million football fans in Australia, opening up a host of possibilites for the NFL in the southern hemisphere moving forward.
So, now we know where the next location for the NFL’s International Series is going to be, what else do we know about it?
Which Stadium Will Host The NFL Melbourne Game?
The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, otherwise known as the MCG, will host the games each year, as part of a partnership between the NFL, the Victorian State Government and the ground itself. The MCG is the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere and the 11th biggest worldwide, with a capacity of 100,000. Having been built in 1853 (and undergoing multiple major renovations since then, of course) the ground will undoubtedly become the oldest stadium to ever host an NFL game. The MCG has hosted two cricket World Cup finals, the 1956 Summer Olympics and is also used as the venue for the annual Australian Football League Grand Final.
Who Is The Designated Team For the 2026 NFL Melbourne Game?
The Los Angeles Rams have been chosen as the first designated team for an NFL Melbourne Game. The Rams hold marketing rights in the country, alongside the Philadelphia Eagles, as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program. This initiative awards NFL teams international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the United States through events and commercial opportunities. No opponents have been announced for the Rams at the time of writing.
When Will The 2026 NFL Melbourne Game Take Place?
No set date has been confirmed for the inaugural game as of yet, nor has a kickoff time been confirmed either. Due to the 16 hour time difference between Melbourne and the American east coast (and NINETEEN HOUR difference between the Australian city and the west coast), the traditional 1pm Sunday kick off time could become a 9pm ET Saturday kick off for one game.
What Channel Will The Game Be On?
The NFL is broadcast on NBC, Fox, ESPN and CBS as well as the NFL Network and Prime Video in the United States. Netflix also picked up the Christmas Day games, complete with the Beyonce Bowl, this season. However, the broadcaster for the Melbourne game has yet to be decided.
