NFL Teams Set Sights on Australian Fans as Rams to Face 49ers Down Under
The San Francisco 49ers are set to take on their cross-country rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, in a historic NFL regular-season matchup in Melbourne, Australia, during the 2026 season. The news was revealed by Robert Irwin, the son of late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, who shared the announcement on "The Pat McAfee Show".
For the first time ever, an NFL game will be played in Australia, marking a significant milestone for the league's expansion into the Asian-Pacific market. The 49ers' encounter with the Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground is just one of nine international games planned for the season, which also includes fixtures in Paris, Madrid, Munich, Mexico City, and London.
The game will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, a venue steeped in Australian sporting history. While fans have been eagerly awaiting details about the matchup, the date and time of the match will not be revealed until later this spring. However, one thing is certain: NFL fans in Australia are set to be treated to an unforgettable experience as two of the league's top teams take to the field.
The announcement marks a significant step forward for the NFL, which has been steadily expanding its reach into new markets over the past few years. With games now scheduled to take place in some of the world's most iconic sporting venues, the stage is set for what promises to be an unforgettable season of football both at home and abroad.
The San Francisco 49ers are set to take on their cross-country rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, in a historic NFL regular-season matchup in Melbourne, Australia, during the 2026 season. The news was revealed by Robert Irwin, the son of late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, who shared the announcement on "The Pat McAfee Show".
For the first time ever, an NFL game will be played in Australia, marking a significant milestone for the league's expansion into the Asian-Pacific market. The 49ers' encounter with the Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground is just one of nine international games planned for the season, which also includes fixtures in Paris, Madrid, Munich, Mexico City, and London.
The game will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, a venue steeped in Australian sporting history. While fans have been eagerly awaiting details about the matchup, the date and time of the match will not be revealed until later this spring. However, one thing is certain: NFL fans in Australia are set to be treated to an unforgettable experience as two of the league's top teams take to the field.
The announcement marks a significant step forward for the NFL, which has been steadily expanding its reach into new markets over the past few years. With games now scheduled to take place in some of the world's most iconic sporting venues, the stage is set for what promises to be an unforgettable season of football both at home and abroad.
! Can't believe we're finally gettin' some NFL action Down Under! I'm hyped that they're playin' in Melbourne Cricket Ground, it's such a historic venue. I've got my 49ers jersey ready, but you know what? I think the Rams are gonna come out on top 
. They've been lookin' fierce this season. And can we talk about how cool it is that they're bringin' the league to new markets? Europe, Paris, Madrid... Australia's got some awesome stadiums too! Can't wait for the season to kick off and see all these games live 
i'm hyped out of control can't wait to see the 49ers take on the rams, two of the best teams in the league 
let's hope the aussie fans get a good spot at the game lol can't imagine how excited we're gonna be when the match is finally announced 
Who knows, maybe we'll even see some Aussie fans rocking Rams or 49ers gear with pride 
. The fact that there are games scheduled for Paris, Madrid, and Munich too just adds to the whole NFL international party vibe 
They're planning nine international games, including Paris and London - it's like they're takin' over the world! 
The NFL is killin' it with this expansion plan. It's gonna be a wild ride for the fans in Australia and around the globe! 
! The fact that it's not just a one-off thing but part of their regular season is amazing 
. Bring it on!
we're talkin' 2026 and they're still playin' games in the us like what took u so long nba has been crushin it over here for years 
now it's gonna be a whole new level of football fans goin wild!! can't wait to see ram vs 49ers at melbourne cricket ground 
The only way this is gonna work is if they bring some of their best players along, otherwise, it's just gonna be a bunch of Yanks playing in front of a crowd that doesn't really care about their sport. 
. Nine international games in Paris, Madrid, Munich... sounds like the NFL is trying to make up for not being able to come down under sooner 
. Melbourne Cricket Ground, eh? That place holds a lot of history, just like how this whole thing feels like a novelty act 
. Can't wait to see what other international shenanigans they've got planned 
, but I gotta say, Melbourne Cricket Ground might not be the best venue for a game this big... it's pretty small compared to some of the other stadiums they're playing in 
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can't wait to see how it all plays out tho
gotta get me some tickets ASAP!!! have u guys ever played any american football in high school? 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to see their favorite teams play in iconic venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground? It's gonna be huge for the league and I'm excited to see how it all unfolds 
. it's a big deal for the league too, i think they're doing a great job expanding into new markets. and can you imagine watching the 49ers vs ram game at the melbourne cricket ground? it's gonna be electric 
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And 9 international games already? That's just too much. The league needs to figure out how it's gonna handle all those logistics. Are they gonna bring in all their own staff or work with Aussie teams?