Melbourne to host 1st-ever NFL game in Australia in 2026

The NFL announced a multi-year commitment Wednesday to playing regular-season games in Melbourne, Australia, beginning in 2026.

The first-ever regular-season NFL game on the continent will take place at Melbourne Cricket Ground and feature the Los Angeles Rams as the designated team. Their opponent and the date of the game will be announced later.

"Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

The Rams and Eagles have marketing rights in Australia as part of the NFL's global markets program. The initiative helps franchises build awareness and grow fandom outside the USA.

"When we first identified Australia as one of our global markets, it was not only because of our passionate fans who reside there, but also because of the important role Los Angeles plays in serving as a gateway to Australia and many countries across the Pacific," Rams owner Stan Kroenke said.

The league has gradually scheduled more international games in recent years. Mexico, Brazil, and Germany are among the countries that have hosted regular-season matchups. The Miami Dolphins are set to play the league's first game in Spain in 2025.

Goodell said Monday that the league could eventually expand its international offerings to 16 games, according to Yahoo Sports' Jason Owens. The league played five regular-season games outside the U.S. in 2024.