The time and date for Australia's first-ever regular season NFL game has been set, with the National Football League announcing today the Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, September 11 at approximately 10:35 AM AEST at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, in partnership with the Victorian State Government and Visit Victoria. The game will air live in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 10 at approximately 5:35 PM PT. Details about how fans can watch the game will be announced at a later date.

"We are thrilled to kick off our season in Melbourne, enhancing an already historic moment for both the NFL and the Rams," said Los Angeles Rams Head of International Stephanie Cheng. "Every time members of our organization visit, including earlier this month, we see first-hand the growing excitement from folks across Melbourne in anticipation of this game. Not only will it be special playing the 49ers on a Friday morning in Australia, it also will be great for our fans back at home to be able to watch this match up in primetime on Thursday night."

With the date, time, and teams now locked in for an epic rivalry showdown in Australia's culture and sports capital, Melbourne, final preparations are underway for tickets to go on sale for the divisional match-up, with Ticketmaster serving as the Official Ticket Provider for the event.

Qualifying Rams Season Ticket Members will have access to an exclusive presale beginning on Wednesday, April 1 at 2 PM PT.

Hospitality packages will be available to purchase from Ticketmaster starting Monday, April 6 at 5 PM PT, and general access tickets will go on sale to the public starting on Tuesday, April 7 at 5 PM PT. All tickets and hospitality packages will be available to purchase directly from the Ticketmaster website.

Rams fans looking for travel packages to Australia can purchase these directly from On Location via their website onlocationexp.com/nfl/losangelesrams.

For ticket information, frequently asked questions, and further details on ticket on sale timings, fans should visit ticketmaster.com.au/nfl

"We are thrilled to be able to confirm the time and date for Australia's first-ever regular-season NFL game at the MCG between the Rams and 49ers — a match-up that has created plenty of hype and excitement" said NFL Australia & New Zealand General Manager Charlotte Offord. "We know that there is already plenty of appetite for this game, both in Australia and internationally, and we're looking forward to getting tickets on sale in the coming weeks for what we know is going to be an incredible NFL experience for our fans down under."

Beyond the iconic MCG, incoming fans will have more than just a football game to get excited about when they touch down in Melbourne. Famous for its world-class food, coffee, and arts and culture scene, the sporting capital delivers both an incredible game-day atmosphere, and a memorable holiday experience.

The Rams, alongside the Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles, hold international marketing rights in Australia and New Zealand as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program, an initiative that grants global marketing rights to clubs in markets outside of the U.S. to build brand awareness and fandom. Since being awarded those rights, the Rams have expanded their presence in Australia through various efforts, including launching the Rams Australia Instagram (@laramsanz) a Super Bowl LVI Trophy tour in Sydney and Melbourne, and Rams Legend Todd Gurley traveling to Australia on several occasions for the NFL FLAG Youth Championship alongside Rampage and Rams Cheerleaders, and a Steve Irwin Day visit to Australia Zoo. The Rams also partnered with the Sydney Swans for Sydney World Pride and have collaborated with Bondi Lifeguards. Over the past year, Rams Legend Torry Holt went to Sydney for a Rams watch party and youth clinic and Rams players Davis Allen, Steve Avila, and Kobie Turner traveled to Melbourne during June 2025 as the Rams hosted the Australia Fan Combine. Most recently, Kevin Dotson and Kyren Williams spent a week in Melbourne attending several events including youth football clinics and the Australian F1 Grand Prix.

With more than 7.5 million passionate fans, the NFL has a growing presence in Australia and is committed to investing in the development of the game year-round across the continent and the entire Asia-Pacific region. The NFL opened its Australia office in 2022; officially launched a national Flag Football program in 2023; opened the NFL APAC Academy in 2024; and has established a strong, year-round calendar of events and fan activity across the country, culminating in the announcement of the first-ever regular season NFL game being played in Melbourne in 2026.

Flag football, the non-contact format of the game, will make its debut as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). It is played across all states and territories in Australia, with almost 100,000 participants currently playing the game across more than 500 schools. In partnership with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and American Football Australia (AFA) the league continues to showcase efforts to increase participation and inspire the next generation, with Brisbane '32 aspirations also in its sights.

The game in Melbourne will be part of an NFL record nine international games in 2026 across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums.

To stay up to date on all things NFL Australia, follow @NFLAusNZ on Instagram, X and TikTok and the Los Angeles Rams @LARamsANZ on Instagram.

Tickets On-Sale Timings

• Wednesday, April 1 at 2 PM PT – Qualified Rams Season Ticket Member pre-sale begins.

• Monday, April 6 at 5 PM PT - Hospitality packages on sale via Ticketmaster.

• Tuesday, April 7 at 5 PM PT – General access on sale via Ticketmaster.

Additional Quotes

"Melbourne is the undisputed major events capital – no one does anything like we do," said Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan. "That's why Melbourne will soon become the first city in the world to host a tennis Grand Slam, a Formula One Grand Prix and an NFL Regular Season game."

"This game is going to be phenomenal, like nothing this country has ever seen" said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos. "The benefits of hosting an NFL game are year-round, because the game will convert thousands of international and interstate supporters into sightseers – in a touchdown for venues, destinations and businesses."

About Melbourne

• Noted as one of The New York Times "52 Places to Travel in 2026," the game is among a slate of blockbuster events, which includes the recent record setting Australian Open, Cadillac's debut at the F1 season kickoff, the NGV's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: Cartier exhibition, the world's largest food festival the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and the Australian Open Golf featuring Rory McIlroy.
• Melbourne's sporting precinct is located along the river and walking distance or a quick tram ride to the heart of the city, making it easy for fans to stay for Game Week and explore why Melbourne is every bit different.
• The dining and café scene is legendary, and its fun exploring the Australian's inventive takes of the world's best dishes from Hector's sandwiches, getting dim sim in one of the world's oldest Chinatowns, enjoying a glass of shiraz from a rooftop bar or finding what a Melbourne Magic is in a Melbourne laneway café.  
• Nature is right at your fingertips with some of the world's best gardens located in the city to wildlife you can visit in the city at Melbourne Zoo or see nearby in the wild and places like Moonlit Sanctuary.
• The city is also in the center of a small state with Australia's famous coast and bush within an easy drive, including the famous little penguins at Phillip Island, Melbourne's spectacular golf courses, and the Great Ocean Road