The Los Angeles Rams will host a landmark NFL game in Australia during the 2026 season. This historic event will take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the first-ever NFL game played in the country. The announcement is part of the league's multiyear commitment to expand its international presence by hosting regular-season games in Australia. While the Rams' opponent, date, and kickoff time are yet to be announced, excitement is already building for this unprecedented sporting event.
Australia is one of the Rams' six international home marketing areas, alongside China, Mexico, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. This initiative is a significant step in broadening the NFL's global footprint. Starting from the 2025 season, the NFL has the ability to schedule up to eight international regular-season games annually, with the Australian game being a key highlight of this expansion strategy.
The Victorian State Government, Visit Victoria, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground are collaborating to host this game. The partnership is expected to be a boon for jobs, businesses, and fans in Victoria. Jacinta Allan expressed her enthusiasm for the event as she stated:
"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."
E. Stanley Kroenke, a key figure in the Rams organization, emphasized the importance of this venture:
"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 have a packed home schedule in 2026 that includes games against prominent teams like the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and teams from the NFC North and AFC East divisions. This adds an exciting dimension to their season as they prepare to make history down under.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell highlighted the significance of expanding into new territories:
"Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth."
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