In a historic move that underscores its global ambitions, the NFL has announced that a regular season game will touch down in Australia starting in 2026. At a press conference on Thursday, NFL Executive VP Peter O’Reilly revealed that the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground will host a Los Angeles Rams home game, likely in Week 1.
NFL Plants Its Flag in Melbourne
The decision to take the NFL down under to Melbourne comes after extensive negotiations between the league and several Australian states. Victoria and its legendary MCG stadium ultimately won out, adding the coastal metropolis to an elite rotation of international NFL destinations that already includes London, Mexico City, Munich and Sao Paolo.
Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth.
– NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
The NFL’s choice of Melbourne reflects the city’s impressive sports pedigree and Australia’s burgeoning passion for American football. Victoria will become the first-ever Australian state to host a regular season NFL contest, a milestone both for the sport and the region.
Rams Ready for Their Aussie Debut
For the LA Rams, who will serve as the nominal home team for the 2026 Australia game, playing at the MCG is a golden opportunity to grow their brand globally. Rams Owner and Chairman Stan Kroenke emphasized the franchise’s interest in strengthening its ties down under:
When we first identified Australia as one of our global markets, it was not only because of our passionate fans who reside there, but also because of the important role Los Angeles plays in serving as a gateway to Australia and many countries across the Pacific.
– Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke
The Melbourne matchup represents another milestone for a Rams organization that has eagerly embraced the NFL’s international initiatives. In recent years, the Rams have cultivated relationships in Australia through various outreach activities and trips, all while leveraging LA’s position as a nexus between North America and the South Pacific.
Australia Rolls Out the Red Carpet
Victorian officials are elated to welcome the NFL and expect the league’s presence to deliver a powerful boost to the state’s already robust sports and tourism industries. Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, touted his region’s unique allure:
NFL fans will love Melbourne’s culture, food, sport and entertainment. From hidden laneways to blockbuster events, there’s always something new on show.
– Victoria Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
The NFL’s Australian debut is expected to attract thousands of foreign visitors and generate global media attention for Melbourne, Victoria, and the MCG. Jacinta Allan, the Premier of Victoria, declared the NFL game “a win for jobs, a win for businesses and a win for fans.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
Further details about the Melbourne game, including the Rams’ opponent, precise date and kickoff time, are still to be finalized and will be announced at a later date. However, one thing is abundantly clear: with an NFL battle at the MCG on the horizon, the sports world will be turning its gaze to Australia in 2026.
The NFL’s ambitious international expansion plans continue to accelerate, with games now staged across four continents. By planting its flag in Australia, the league is poised to energize its Pacific fanbase and reach new heights as a global entertainment powerhouse.
As anticipation builds for this unprecedented gridiron contest on the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australian fans, businesses and officials are gearing up for a truly historic event. When the Rams charge into the MCG in 2026, it will mark not just the dawn of NFL football in Australia, but a seminal moment in the sport’s global evolution.
