Entertainment
NFL to play first game in Australia as part of expanded 2026 international schedule
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams face record travel to Melbourne as the league expands regular-season games abroad.
The short version
- The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will travel to Melbourne, Australia, to play the NFL's first-ever game in the country.
- The matchup is part of a record nine regular-season international games scheduled for 2026, with 10 approved for 2027.
- The league is using its Global Markets Program to build international viewership, though time zone discrepancies and player travel logistics remain key challenges.
Key facts
- The 2026 matchup between the 49ers and Rams in Melbourne marks the longest distance two NFL teams have traveled for a game.[CNBC]
- The NFL has scheduled a record nine international regular-season games in 2026, including debuts in Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris, alongside games in London, Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City.[CNBC]
- NFL owners have approved 10 international games for the 2027 season, reaching the limit allowed under the current collective bargaining agreement.[CNBC]
- Under the league's Global Markets Program, the Los Angeles Rams hold marketing rights in Australia and act as the designated home team.[CNBC]