MCG to host first regular-season NFL fixture in Australia

The NFL’s ongoing international expansion will see the competition stage its first regular-season fixture in Australia next year - to be played at the MCG.

Following discussions with the Victorian Government, the League has committed to a multi-year agreement to stage matches in Melbourne.

The Los Angeles Rams, who, alongside the Philadelphia Eagles, hold marketing rights in Australia as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program, will serve as the designated home team for the 2026 game.

Announcing the deal, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement “expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, 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."

Speaking at the MCG on this morning, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the deal as "a major touchdown" for Victoria, noting "Melbourne will become the only city in the world that will host an international tennis grand slam, a Formula One Grand Prix and now an NFL regular-season game.”

Premier Allan did not disclose how much money the Victorian Government had contributed to secure the NFL match.

The deal will see Melbourne become the latest overseas city to host a regular-season NFL game, joining London, Mexico City, Munich, Frankfurt, São Paulo and Toronto.

The NFL has already announced games in Berlin and Madrid for the 2025 season.

Advising that there had been a competitive bidding war to secure the fixture, Visit Victoria board member Eddie McGuire commented “the focus for the NFL and their international expansion and their games is to go to iconic places and there's no more iconic place than Melbourne, Australia and the MCG.

"This is the place where the first Test cricket game was played. This is the place where the first game of Australian rules football was played. This is the place where the first Olympic Games in the Southern Hemisphere was conducted.

"It has been the theatre of dreams for so long and now it's going to be the first place in Australia where (NFL) games will be played for points."

By contrast, the NSW Tourism Association has expressed "deep disappointment" that Melbourne will host the fixture.

NSW Tourism Association Chief Executive, Natalie Godward stated "this is an epic failure for the NSW Government and Destination NSW.”

"This event would have delivered massive economic benefits and global exposure for our state. Instead, we are seeing a huge, missed opportunity while Victoria secure worldclass events that should be coming here.”

NFL’s International Growth
Stan Kroenke, owner and chairman of the Rams, added “when we first identified Australia as one of our global markets, it was not only because of our passionate fans who reside there, but also because of the important role Los Angeles plays in serving as a gateway to Australia and many countries across the Pacific.

“Today is an exciting day for Rams fans across the world, especially in Australia, where our players and organisation have received an enthusiastic reception over the past few years when we have been in the market.

“This is the next important step for both the Rams and the broader Kroenke Sports & Entertainment family to continue to expand our reach globally, and we are thrilled to work with Commissioner Goodell and the league office to make history and bring the first NFL regular season game to Australia.”

The Rams’ opponent, along with the game data and kick off time, will be announced at a later date. It has been reported that the game could be played in the late morning in Melbourne, making it more convenient for US TV audiences.

Today’s announcement comes after the NFL opened its Australia and New Zealand office in 2022 on the Gold Coast. The NFL has described Australia as a “significant global market” for its product and claims to have a fan base of 6.6 million people in the country.

The NFL staged a preseason match between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers at Sydney's Stadium Australia in 1999.

Image: Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams #23 runs the ball fighting off pressure from the Green Bay Packers during an NFL game at SoFi Stadium in California, USA on Sunday 6th October 2024. The Rams will play at the MCG in 2026. Credit: Shutterstock.