Seven countries besides the United States have hosted an NFL regular-season game.
In 2026, that number will grow to eight as it was revealed that the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers would play a game in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
THE FIRST-EVER REGULAR SEASON GAME IN AUSTRALIA IS SET! 🇦🇺@49ers vs @RamsNFL at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. pic.twitter.com/Ae2w9ukd6J
— NFL Australia & NZ (@NFLAUNZ) February 5, 2026
The Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles have marketing rights in Australia and New Zealand as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program.
NFL Australia & New Zealand General Manager Charlotte Offord released a statement after the matchup was announced.
“As we continue our preparations for the NFL’s first-ever regular season game touching down at the MCG in Melbourne, we are delighted to have the San Francisco 49ers announced as the opposing team to take on the Los Angeles Rams,” the statement said.
Offord added that the 49ers are a “popular franchise within the Australian market” and called it an “important next step” toward the sports footprints in Australia.
The 49ers and Rams both made the postseason this season, with the Rams falling just short of a Super Bowl after a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.
The date and time have yet to be announced for the first ever NFL game in Australia.
