NFL Melbourne 2026: Everything you need to know about the Rams’ historic MCG clash
The NFL is officially coming to Australia, and to get you ready for a piece of sporting history, we’ve got every question covered ahead of the Rams’ venture to Melbourne.
It’s official, the NFL is set to touch down in Australia, with league bosses confirming that the Los Angeles Rams will host a home game at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2026.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the biggest sport in America landing Down Under.
WHEN WILL IT BE PLAYED?
It looms likely that the clash between the Rams and whoever their opponent is will play in week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
The 2024 season began in the first week of September, with week 1 featuring a Sao Paulo clash between Philadelphia and Green Bay.
The 2023 season also kicked off at the same time, so you can almost certainly lock that in.
In order to cash in on a booming American television market, the game would likely be played during the day at the MCG.
WHEN DO TICKETS GO ON SALE?
No formal announcement has been made yet, but you can sign up to be up to date with ticket updates here: https://nfl.com/melbourne
WHERE WILL THE GAME BE PLAYED?
The contest will take place at the MCG, in the heart of Melbourne.
The stadium is primarily used for AFL clashes from March-October, and can house over 100,000 fans.
WHO COULD THE RAMS BE PLAYING?
The Rams have nine scheduled home games for the 2026 season. Those will be against their three NFC West rivals (Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals), Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and their same-place finishers in the NFC North (one of Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears) and AFC East (one of New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets) divisions during the 2025 season.
WHY THE RAMS?
The Rams have six international home marketing areas. Those are, of course Australia, China, Mexico, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.
HAS THE NFL COME TO AUSTRALIA BEFORE?
Yes, indeed they have, although it was in the last millennium.
In August 1999, Denver and the then San Diego Chargers played in the American Bowl at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Almost 74,000 attended the exhibition game.
WHICH STARS COULD COME DOWN UNDER?
The Rams possess some serious firepower, which took them to the final eight of this year’s NFL playoffs.
They include QB Matthew Stafford, who led LA to the Super Bowl trophy in 2022, running back Kyren Williams, star receiver Puka Nacua and young defensive stud Jared Verse will likely be named the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year within a week.
Based on the available teams, Aussie NFL fans could be lucky enough to see the great Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, or possibly Buffalo star Josh Allen.
Originally published as NFL Melbourne 2026: Everything you need to know about the Rams’ historic MCG clash
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