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NFL makes history: Australia to host first regular-season game in 2026
The National Football League (NFL) is making history by expanding to Melbourne, Australia. Starting in 2026, the league will host regular-season games at the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This is a momentous occasion as it marks the first time an NFL game will be played in Australia. This is a significant step in the NFL’s ongoing efforts to expand its international presence and bring American football to new horizons.
Details of the first regular season game in Australia
Melbourne is often regarded as Australia’s sporting capital, with a rich history in sports such as cricket and Australian Rules football. Therefore, it is the ideal stage for the NFL’s expansion. With a seating capacity of over 100,000, the MCG will provide Australian and global NFL fans with the best possible setting.
The first-ever regular-season NFL game in Australia will be played at the MCG in 2026. The Los Angeles Rams will be the designated team, although their opponent has yet to be determined. This match-up is expected to attract tens of thousands of fans, eager to witness American football in Australia for the first time.
Statements from key figures
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasised the league’s commitment to international growth. Goodell stated, “Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth. Together with the Victorian State Government, Visit Victoria, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the Los Angeles Rams in 2026, 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.”
Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, also celebrated the announcement, stating, “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. It’s a win for jobs, businesses, and fans who will see American football played at the iconic MCG.”
NFL’s presence in Australia
Hosting an NFL game will boost Melbourne’s economy. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses will benefit from the influx of tourists and fans. The game will also create jobs and strengthen Melbourne’s status as a premier sporting city.
The NFL has utilised the Global Markets Program to engage with fans in Australia. Teams, including the Rams and Eagles, have used these programs to raise brand awareness. Such campaigns have increased NFL fandom to approximately 6.6 million fans across the country.
NFL’s growing global reach
Over the past few decades, the NFL has actively expanded beyond the United States. Regular-season games have been played in London, Munich, Frankfurt, Mexico City, São Paulo, and Toronto. With Melbourne added to this list, the league’s global footprint continues to expand.
The NFL is dedicated to growing the sport of American football year-round in both the Asia-Pacific region and across the continent. The NFL has made significant investments in the area, including establishing a new office in Australia and New Zealand on the Gold Coast in 2022.
One of the key initiatives launched by the NFL in 2022 is the NFL Flag football program, which has gained widespread popularity across Australia. The NFL has partnered with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) to promote flag football and increase participation, aiming to feature the sport in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The NFL previously hosted a preseason game in Sydney in 1999 between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers. However, the 2026 game in Melbourne will be the first official regular-season game, marking a major evolution in the league’s presence in Australia.
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