The Los Angeles Rams Will Face the San Francisco 49ers in First-Ever Regular-Season NFL Game in Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, Sept. 11.
MELBOURNE – The time and date for Australia’s first-ever regular season NFL game has been set, with the National Football League announcing today the Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, Sept. 11 at approximately 10:35 a.m. AEST (Thursday, Sept. 10 at approximately 8:35 p.m. ET in the United States) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, in partnership with the Victorian State Government and Visit Victoria.
Additionally, opening the 2026 NFL regular season on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 10:20 a.m. AEST (Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET in the United States) in Seattle will be Australia’s own, Michael Dickson, and the Super Bowl XL champion Seattle Seahawks, setting the scene for an action-packed start to the season for NFL fans down under. Broadcast partners and the Seahawks’ Week 1 opponent will be announced when the full 2026 NFL regular season schedule is released.
“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 Australia & New Zealand General Manager 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.”
“Melbourne is the undisputed major events capital – no one does anything like we do,” said Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan. “That’s why Melbourne will soon become the first city in the world to host a tennis Grand Slam, a Formula One Grand Prix and an NFL Regular Season game.”
“This game is going to be phenomenal, like nothing this country has ever seen” said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos. “The benefits of hosting an NFL game are year-round, because the game will convert thousands of international and interstate supporters into sightseers – in a touchdown for venues, destinations and businesses.”
With the date, time, and teams now locked in, final preparations are underway for tickets to go on sale for the divisional match-up, with Ticketmaster confirmed as the Official Ticket Provider for the event.
Hospitality packages will be available to purchase from Ticketmaster from 10.00 a.m. AEST Tuesday, April 7, and general access tickets starting from $95 for standing room, and $140 for general seating will go on sale to the public from 10.00 a.m. AEST on Wednesday, April 8. All tickets and hospitality packages will be available to purchase directly from the Ticketmaster website.
For ticket information, frequently asked questions, and further details on ticket on sale timings, fans should visit ticketmaster.com.au/nfl
Sportsnet are the Official Game Break Partner for the Melbourne game in Australia and New Zealand, providing fans with ticket and hotel packages, and experiences — these packages will be available to purchase directly from the Sportsnet Holidays website sportsnetholidays.comfrom 10.00 a.m. AEST Monday, April 6.
Rams and 49ers fans based in the U.S. looking for travel packages to Australia can purchase these directly from On Location via their website onlocationexp.com/nfl-australia.
Beyond the iconic MCG, incoming fans will have more than just a football game to get excited about when they touch down in Melbourne. Famous for its world-class food, coffee, and arts and culture scene, the sporting capital delivers both an incredible game-day atmosphere, and a memorable holiday experience.
With more than 7.5 million passionate fans, the NFL has a growing presence in Australia and is committed to investing in the development of the game year-round across the continent and the entire Asia-Pacific region. The NFL opened its Australia office in 2022; officially launched a national Flag Football program in 2023; opened the NFL APAC Academy in 2024; and has established a strong, year-round calendar of events and fan activity across the country, culminating in the announcement of the first-ever regular season NFL game being played in Melbourne in 2026.
Flag football, the non-contact format of the game, will make its debut as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). It is played across all states and territories in Australia, with almost 100,000 participants currently playing the game across more than 500 schools. In partnership with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and American Football Australia (AFA) the league continues to showcase efforts to increase participation and inspire the next generation, with Brisbane ‘32 aspirations also in its sights.
The game in Melbourne will be part of an NFL record nine international games in 2026 across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums.
To stay up to date on all things NFL Australia, follow @NFLAusNZ on Instagram, X and TikTok and the Los Angeles Rams on Instagram.
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Tickets on sale timings:
· Wednesday, April 1 (Time: 9am AEDT) – Partner pre-sale windows begin.
· Monday, April 6 (Time: 10am AEST) – Ticket & Hotel packages on sale via Sportsnet.
· Tuesday, April 7 (Time: 10am AEST) – Hospitality packages on sale via Ticketmaster.
· Wednesday, April 8 (Time: 10am AEST) – General access on sale via Ticketmaster.
2026 NFL International Markets: (* designates a new market/city for 2026)
· London, U.K. (Two games in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, One in Wembley Stadium)
· Madrid, Spain (Bernabéu Stadium)
· Melbourne, Australia* (Melbourne Cricket Ground)
· Mexico City, Mexico (Estadio Banorte)
· Munich, Germany (FC Bayern Munich Arena)
· Paris, France* (Stade de France Stadium)
· Rio De Janeiro, Brazil* (Maracanã Stadium)
Fans can sign up to receive information on all 2026 NFL International Games at the following:
· 2026 NFL Melbourne game: nfl.com/Melbourne
· 2026 NFL London games: nfl.com/London
· 2026 NFL Rio game: nfl.com/Rio
· 2026 NFL Munich game: nfl.com/Munich
· 2026 NFL Madrid game: nfl.com/Madrid
· 2026 NFL Paris game: nfl.com/Paris
· 2026 NFL Mexico City game: nfl.com/Mexicocity2026
