The NFL will play its first overseas game in Melbourne in the 2026 season. It has now been confirmed which two teams will face each other in the Australian metropolis.

The NFL continues to expand, with nine international games currently planned for the coming season. For the first time ever, the league will host a game in Australia, with the metropolis of Melbourne serving as the venue.

The NFL has now announced which two teams will face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Down Under – and it’s a matchup to remember. The two NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, will contest the debut game in Australia. The Rams will be listed as the home team. “The expansion to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sporting history, underscores our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate our international growth,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

He added: “We look forward to making history in this important market for the NFL and taking a significant next step in expanding our international presence.”

Exact date still to be confirmed

Jacinta Allan, Premier of the Australian state of Victoria, said the NFL’s guest appearance in Melbourne was “a win for jobs, a win for businesses and a win for fans who will be able to watch American football at the legendary MCG.”

Exactly when the game will take place is still unclear. The final schedule for the 2026 NFL season will be released in May, with the dates for the International Games usually announced a few days earlier. However, the huge time difference is already posing a challenge for NFL planners.

According to NFL insider Ari Meirov, there are considerations to hold the game in week one, even before the actual season opener, to give the teams more time to return before week two and acclimatize again. The time difference between the US West Coast and Melbourne is 19 hours.