Rams and 49ers to Play First NFL Regular-Season Game in Australia at MCG

On September 10, 2026, the National Football League will stage its first regular‑season game in Australia. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in East Melbourne, a venue that can seat 100,024 and has hosted cricket, Australian rules football, and Olympic ceremonies. The matchup marks the opening of the 2026 NFL season and the first time a league‑wide regular‑season contest is played outside North America.

Both teams entered the 2026 season with strong momentum. In 2025 the Rams finished 12‑5, one win shy of an NFC championship berth, while the 49ers posted a 12‑5 record and lost the NFC West title to the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams are looking to confirm their status as a championship contender, and the 49ers aim to regain divisional supremacy after a narrow loss in the previous season’s title race.

The Rams and 49ers have a long‑standing rivalry that dates back to 1946. Since the 2025 season, the two franchises have met 154 times, with the 49ers holding a 79‑72 edge. The rivalry intensified during the Kyle Shanahan‑Sean McVay era, when the teams split 11 of 19 meetings. A win in Melbourne would be the first of the season for both clubs and could shift the balance of power in the NFC West.

The MCG is a multi‑purpose stadium located in Yarra Park, East Melbourne. It is owned by the Victorian Government and operated by the Melbourne Cricket Club. The venue has hosted the AFL Grand Final, the Boxing Day Test, and the 1992 and 2015 Cricket World Cup finals, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1956 Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Its capacity of 100,024 makes it the largest stadium in Australia and the second‑largest cricket venue in the world.

The game will be televised on NBC at 08:35 PM Eastern Time and streamed live on Fubo, which offers a free trial for non‑cable viewers. The Rams are designated the home team for the international series, a decision that gives them a nominal advantage in pre‑game preparations. Fans in Australia will experience the game in real time, while viewers in the United States will watch the kickoff at 08:35 PM ET, which corresponds to 10:35 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time.

The 49ers enter the game with several key players listed as limited or inactive. Aaron Donald, Grant Stuard, Myles Garrett, Jaylen Watson, Tyler Higbee, Alaric Jackson, and Byron Young are all listed as resting or not participating in practice. The Rams report no injuries. The absence of these players could influence the defensive and offensive strategies for the 49ers, while the Rams will rely on a full roster to contest the high‑stakes matchup.

The Rams’ 2026 schedule includes early games against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, and Green Bay Packers. The 49ers will face the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks again. Both teams have a series of divisional and inter‑conference matchups that will test their depth early in the season.

The game’s divisional status means that the first win will set the tone for the NFC West race. A victory for the Rams could keep them in contention for a playoff berth, while a 49ers win would give the franchise a chance to recover from last season’s loss of the division title. The international venue also offers the NFL a chance to gauge interest in Australian markets, potentially influencing future scheduling and expansion decisions.

As of the start of the 2026 season, the Rams and 49ers are poised to contest the first NFL regular‑season game outside North America. The match will be watched by fans in California, across the United States, and in Australia, where the MCG’s historic venue will host the event. The outcome will have immediate implications for the NFC West standings and will provide the league with data on international fan engagement, informing future decisions about global expansion.