NEW ORLEANS — The National Football League (NFL) is set to broaden its international reach by hosting a game in Australia.
The league made this announcement on Wednesday, revealing that a matchup is scheduled for 2026 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, which has a seating capacity of approximately 100,000. The Los Angeles Rams will be designated as the home team for this exciting event, which marks the beginning of a multi-year initiative for the NFL in Melbourne.
“This is a significant development,” stated Peter O’Reilly, an executive at the league.
“A few years ago, this might have seemed unachievable. However, there is a strong commitment from the commissioner and the 32 franchise owners to establish ourselves as a genuine global sport. This includes broadening our presence and introducing more fans worldwide, particularly those in Australia and Melbourne, to the thrill of our sport.”
O’Reilly indicated that the game is likely to take place during Week 1 of the season to allow teams sufficient time to adapt to the time zone. This scheduling is also intended to enhance promotion efforts before the matchup. The kickoff is expected to coincide with prime viewing hours on the U.S. East Coast, translating to approximately noon in Melbourne.
To further nurture interest in American football, the NFL established an academy in Australia last year aimed at refining the skills of talented teens in the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, the upcoming Super Bowl features Jordan Mailata, a left tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles and one of the most accomplished Australian players in NFL history.
The Rams have been granted marketing rights in Australia since the inception of the NFL’s international marketing initiative in 2022.
“We are incredibly thrilled about this development,” expressed Kevin Demoff, the president of the Rams.
“The moment we learned of this opportunity, we were eager to step up and express our interest in participating in this groundbreaking game in Australia.”
The NFL is optimistic that its commitment to Australia will enhance the prospects for flag football to be included in the Olympic Games scheduled for 2032 in Brisbane. Flag football is set to make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, and a decision regarding its inclusion in the 2032 event will occur in the coming years.
This game will mark Australia as the seventh nation outside the U.S. to host an NFL match, as the league has routinely held matches in England since 2007 and has also ventured into Mexico, Germany, Brazil, and Canada. Additionally, the Miami Dolphins are slated to host the inaugural NFL game in Spain in 2025, taking place at the home ground of Real Madrid.
Starting from the 2025 season, the NFL is permitted to organize up to eight games each season in international locations.
London is poised to host three games next season, with two scheduled at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Wembley Stadium. The Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets will serve as the home teams for the games at Tottenham, while the Jacksonville Jaguars will play at Wembley.
Moreover, the Indianapolis Colts will represent as the home team for a game in Berlin at the Olympic Stadium, with another contest expected to be held in Madrid.
O’Reilly also conveyed the league’s intention to return to Mexico following the completion of renovations at Azteca Stadium for the 2026 World Cup.
This initiative is not the first instance of a major U.S.-based sporting league making its way to Australia, as Major League Baseball previously held a season-opening series involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks in Sydney back in 2014.
Over the years, various significant college football games have occurred in Australia, with the most recent being encounters between Stanford and Rice in 2017, along with California facing Hawaii in 2016.
