Los Angeles Rams will be home team in 2026 for first of many NFL games at MCG

The NFL has made a major announcement about its bid to grow the game globally and it’s good news for one Aussie city.

The NFL has confirmed a “multi-year” commitment to play at the MCG, with the Los Angeles Rams locked in for an October showdown in 2026.

NFL executive vice-president of club business and league events Peter O’Reilly announced on Thursday that Melbourne would host its first NFL game in 2026 as part of a multi-year commitment.

The home team for the game will be the Los Angeles Rams, who O’Reilly said shared the NFL’s “ambition to grow the game globally”.

“The global growth of our game is a major strategic priority of the league and our 32 clubs as we continue to accelerate on our path to becoming a true global sport,” O’Reilly said.

“Expanding our global footprint is a key pillar in our league-wide strategy and international games are one of the most impactful elements of that strategy.

“In 2025 we have confirmed three games in London, our very first regular season game in Berlin, our first regular season game in Madrid.

“In 2026 we will play our first regular season game in Australia, Melbourne, Australia, as part of a multi-year commitment to play games in the city of Melbourne.”

Australia’s iconic home of sport will welcome the NFL in 2026 as part of a multi-year deal.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Melbourne had a “a rich sports history” and the MCG games “underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth”.

“We look forward to making history in what is an important market for the NFL and a significant next step in expanding our international footprint,” he said.

O’Reilly said the NFL recognised the MCG as an iconic sporting stadium and it was the perfect host venue.

“As many of you know, the MCG is in the heart of the city of Melbourne, it’s the largest stadium in Australia, first built in 1853 with approximately 100,000 seating capacity,” he said.

“It’s hosted many of Australia’s global events over the years, including the ‘56 Olympic Games and many other iconic sporting moments and concerts … including Taylor Swift recently.

“We’re really excited to be part of that future, part of that history-making at the MCG, we couldn’t be more excited.”

The MCG will be the #RamsHouse in 2026! 🐏🇦🇺

The @RamsNFL are the 2026 @NFL Melbourne Game designated team.

Register your interest 👉 https://t.co/mHEV3ygdr2pic.twitter.com/FJcXVfUXkH

— NFL Australia & NZ (@NFLAUNZ) February 5, 2025

Victoria Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos said it was “an absolute game changer” for the city of Melbourne.

“If there was any KPI Premier Jacinta Allan set for me, it was to get this deal done, this is an absolute game changer for us,” he said.

“We’ve found a match in the NFL because, as Peter said, this is a historic moment — it is for us too.

“We are a globally focused city and state, we are a state which loves its sport.

“I was saying to Peter earlier, you can almost guarantee you can get a significant level of patronage and attendance in that community because they show up.

“They show up because they know they get really good, extraordinary content and what makes a good experience is a compelling sport – NFL is a compelling sport.”

Dimopoulos hinted at the timing of the match when he thanked the AFL for its assistance in landing the game.

“I have nothing but respect for the AFL’s work with us in order to land the announcement today,” he said.

“As for the scheduling in more detail I’ll leave that for the NFL to announce at a future time … the AFL have been fantastic in these negotiations.”

O’Reilly said the game would likely be a late morning start to capitalise on prime time American viewership.

“The likely scenario would be a week one game, a night game in the US which would be a late morning game in Melbourne, which is not an uncommon thing, certainly in the cricket world,” he said.

“This doesn’t happen without the AFL’s partnership as an important player in this conversation, that relationship can grow beyond just being in the same stadium.”

Originally published as Los Angeles Rams will be home team in 2026 for first of many NFL games at MCG