By Andrew Wu
The Victorian government has pulled off a coup to stage the first regular-season NFL game in Australia next year at the MCG, but a potential clash with the opening week of the AFL finals series looms.
The AFL said on Thursday it was supportive of the historic event, despite the possible implications for the league’s 2026 finals series.
“We have a long history of working with governments and venues to support major sporting and cultural events and we will continue to work together to ensure arrangements are in place for our AFL fans and the wider community to experience the best of both worlds,” an AFL spokesperson said.
An obvious scenario is that the NFL game is played at the MCG during the AFL’s bye round, before the finals start.
The MCG has hosted exhibition soccer matches, NRL State of Origin and Bledisloe Cup rugby games during the AFL season in the past, as well as concerts in December 2022 before that year’s Boxing Day Test.
In July 2023, the venue had 18 hours to prepare the field for the Bledisloe Cup on a Saturday night after staging an AFL game the previous evening, and 15 hours to be ready again for a Sunday afternoon game of football.
“History shows we can turn the ground around very quickly,” MCC chief Stuart Fox said on SEN.
Fans may even be able to watch the game from the hallowed turf as the configuration for an NFL field is considerably smaller than the MCG’s playing surface.
“We’ve seen overlays of the footprint and what the field’s going to look like,” Fox said. “There’s still a lot of planning to be done about how we fill the space around the ground. We have a huge amount of space on the ground.”
NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly said at Thursday morning’s (AEDT) announcement that the league had not decided when the match will be played in 2026, but it could be in week one of their season. It would likely be scheduled for prime time on the east coast of the US, which could mean a start time of about noon in Melbourne.
Given the NFL starts in the first week of September, that would mean it comes up against the opening round of the AFL’s finals series.
The LA Rams are coming to Australia in 2026, for a regular-season NFL match at the MCG.Credit: Getty Images
“We won’t lock into any scheduling here, but the likely scenario would be a week one game,” O’Reilly said.
But O’Reilly and Victorian Sports Minister Steven Dimopolous praised the AFL for its role in negotiations around the historic deal.
“I have nothing but respect for the AFL’s work with us in order to land the announcement today,” Dimopolous said.
“As for the scheduling ... I will leave that for the NFL to announce at a future time. The AFL have been fantastic in terms of these negotiations.”
O’Reilly then added his appreciation for the AFL’s part in the deal. “This doesn’t happen without the AFL’s partnership as an important player in this conversation ... that relationship can go beyond just playing [at the MCG],” O’Reilly said.
“This is an incredible league and we can learn from each other. That partnership and relationship is important to us.”
Next year’s game will be the first time the NFL has played a regular-season game in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Los Angeles Rams have been confirmed as the host team and their opposition will reportedly be the Philadelphia Eagles.
It is a multi-year deal as the league continues its international expansion.
“Expanding to Melbourne, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
“Together with the Victorian state government ... 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.”
The announcement was made in New Orleans, which will host the Super Bowl next Monday morning (AEDT).
Australian Jordan Mailata playing for the Philadelphia Eagles at the Super Bowl in 2023.Credit: Getty
“This is a big statement,” O’Reilly said. “Probably a few years ago, you may not have thought this was a reality. I’d say the commissioner, the 32 owners, there’s a commitment to become a true global sport property. That means expanding our footprint, that means going to different parts of the world and exposing more fans around the world, in this case fans in Australia and Melbourne, to our great sport.”
The NFL opened an academy in Australia last year to help develop promising teenagers in the Asia-Pacific region into college and pro prospects.
The Rams have had marketing rights in Australia since the NFL started its international marketing program in 2022.
“We could not be more excited,” Rams president Kevin Demoff said. “As soon as this opportunity came about, we were the first to raise our hands and say we want to play in that first game in Australia.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.Credit: Getty Images
Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata will become the first Australian to play in a winning Super Bowl team if they beat the two-time defending champions the Kansas City Chiefs. Philadelphia narrowly lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl two years ago.
Mailata said he would be hitting up Goodell for tickets if the Eagles play at the MCG.
“It would feel amazing to bring the game Down Under for the growth of the sport but also for the opportunity to play in front of my friends and my family,” he said.
“I’d have to ask uncle Roger to pay for all the tickets that I’d have to buy. Maybe half the stadium. We’ll see.”
Premier Jacinta Allan announces the NFL match at the MCG.Credit: Jason South
Australia will be the seventh country outside of the US to host a match.
“We’re thrilled the NFL will be touching down in the sporting capital of Australia. Victoria is now the first-ever state in Australia to host a regular season NFL game,” said Victorian premier Jacinta Allan.
“It’s a win for jobs, a win for businesses and a win for fans who will get to see American football played at the iconic MCG.”
The league made its first foray into South America at the beginning of this season with a game in Sao Paulo.
As of the 2025 season, the NFL can schedule up to eight league-operated, regular-season games internationally.
London will host three games next season – two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Wembley Stadium. The Browns and the New York Jets are the home teams at Tottenham, and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley.
The Colts are the home team for a game in Berlin at Olympic Stadium, and the Miami Dolphins will be the hosts at Real Madrid’s venue.
The NFL hopes committing to Australia will help boost the chances that flag football will be part of the 2032 Olympics to be held in Brisbane. Flag football will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028 and a decision on whether it will be part of the 2032 Olympics will be made in the next few years.
With AAP, AP
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