The NFL has announced that the San Francisco 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams in the league’s inaugural regular season game in Australia. Scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), this historic matchup marks a significant milestone in the league’s global expansion efforts.
The announcement was made on Thursday, with the game set to happen later this year. The MCG, known for its impressive capacity of approximately 100,000 spectators, is the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere. While it is primarily associated with cricket, it also hosts Australian rules football and was a venue for the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Al Guido, the CEO of the 49ers, expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating, “This is a terrific opportunity to continue to support the league in its mission to grow the game of football.” He also emphasized the team’s commitment to working with the NFL to positively impact local Australian communities through the sport.
Charlotte Offord, the general manager of NFL Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the popularity of the 49ers in the Australian market. She remarked, “This rivalry game solidifies what we know is going to be an incredible NFL experience for our fans down under.”
The Rams, who currently hold marketing rights in Australia under the NFL’s Global Market Program, are also excited about the upcoming game. Their president, Kevin Demoff, noted, “As we make history with the NFL and bring the first regular season game to Australia, we are pleased to take our annual match-up against our NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers to the MCG.” He added that since securing marketing rights in 2021, there has been tremendous excitement for the team from fans both in Australia and around the world.
The game in Australia is part of a record nine international games scheduled for the 2026 season. In addition to the anticipated match in Melbourne, the NFL will host games in various cities across four continents, including Madrid, Mexico City, Munich, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro.
While the exact date and kickoff time for the Australian game have yet to be announced, the NFL typically releases its schedules for the upcoming season in May. Ticket information will also be provided at a later date.
As the NFL continues to broaden its reach, this historic game in Australia promises to enhance the excitement and engagement of fans on a global scale.
