‘Laughing stock’: Picture exposes Australia’s NFL farce

Fans in Australia are preparing for the NFL to head Down Under in 2026, but one image highlights a glaring issue for those who attend.

NFL fever is running high Down Under and it has nothing to do with the Super Bowl.

News of the sport heading to the MCG has sent fans in Australia into a spin with it appearing likely the contest will take place during Week 1 of the 2026 season.

Watch Super Bowl LIX live with ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Despite the widespread appeal of bringing the sport to our shores, one single picture of what the famous stadium could look like has raised the eyebrows.

The ground is far bigger than any current stadium used by NFL teams, with MetLife Stadium in New York having the biggest capacity at 82,500.

That figure pales in comparison to the 100,024 fans file through the gates of the MCG, but the issue doesn’t lie with the crowd.

The glaring problem is the sheer size of the field. The MCG is 174m by 149m, an NFL field is 110m long and 48m wide.

Putting an NFL field smack bang in the middle of the stadium means a vast amount of space is left over before you come close to the front row.

Look at all that leftover space. Photo/X.

And Australia’s sporting capital has already had a comparable game play at the ‘G with the rugby league’s showpiece State of Origin playing six matches at the iconic ground.

A rugby league field is 122m by 68m — about 10m longer and 20m wider than an NFL field.

It left plenty of unused real estate around the field as it was swallowed up inside the cavernous ground.

There was miles of room around the rugby league field. Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images

The image of the stadium mock up for the NFL quickly whipped around social media with fans not at all impressed by what they were seeing.

One wrote on X: “Respectfully. This looks horrendous.”

Another added: “Look at all that vacant real estate. We will be a laughing stock.”

A third posted: “Looks horrible. And the view of the game will be rubbish.”

A concerned fan wrote: “Looks pathetic. Imagine being on Level One, great atmosphere, just wouldn’t be able to see much.”

The Rams will be coming Down Under in 2026. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images)

Fans far and wide couldn’t believe the NSW government didn’t go harder to try and secure the blockbuster deal with many believing Sydney’s Accor Stadium, a rectangular stadium, would have been a much better hosting site.

While the opponent the Rams will go up against is not yet known, rumours have swirled it could be the Philadelphia Eagles who just won the Super Bowl and feature Bankstown local Jordan Mailata.

Could the NFL champs be heading to our shores? (AP Photo/Doug Benc)

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

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 who was recently named the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year.

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.

- with News Sport Network

Originally published as ‘Laughing stock’: Picture exposes Australia’s NFL farce