The San Francisco 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams on September 10 at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Category: Sports
Netflix is set to make history by airing the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game from Australia, featuring a highly anticipated matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. The game will take place on Thursday, September 10, with kickoff scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the largest stadium in Australia, as reported by The Athletic.
This landmark event marks a new chapter in the NFL’s global expansion strategy, which includes a total of nine international games in 2026. The league's aim is to broaden its reach and engage with a wider audience, particularly in markets like Australia, where American football has been gaining traction.
According to sources, NBC is expected to handle the production of the game, ensuring a high-quality broadcast for viewers. This early-season deal also highlights Netflix’s growing relationship with the NFL, which has included two Christmas Day games over the past two seasons and will continue with additional holiday matchups in December 2026.
In a statement, NFL Australia & New Zealand General Manager Charlotte Offord expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming game, saying, "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. We know that there is already plenty of appetite for this game, both in Australia and internationally, and we’re ahead 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." The excitement surrounding the event is shared by local officials, including Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan, who noted Melbourne's status as a premier destination for major sporting events.
The 2026 NFL season will kick off with this historic game, which is part of a broader initiative by the league to expand its international footprint. This season, the NFL will host games in multiple cities outside the United States, including Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Madrid, and Munich, in addition to the previously established games in London. The league's efforts to adapt to changing viewer habits have led to a shift toward streaming platforms, with Netflix now playing a key role in this transition.
Last season, approximately 87 percent of NFL games were broadcast through traditional networks. The addition of Netflix as a streaming partner is expected to slightly increase this percentage, as the league explores various media partnerships to cater to a modern audience that increasingly favors on-demand viewing options. This shift has not been without scrutiny, as government officials have raised concerns about the implications of moving more games to streaming services.
The Rams and 49ers will enter this matchup with strong performances from the previous season, both finishing with a 12-5 record. The Rams, led by NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, reached the NFC Championship game, whereas the 49ers advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs, both teams losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. This rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity to the game in Australia, as both teams vie for an early advantage in the NFC West.
Looking ahead, the NFL is expected to continue its partnership with Netflix beyond the Australia game. Reports suggest that Netflix may also secure rights to broadcast additional games, including a potential Thanksgiving Eve matchup and more Christmas Day games. As the NFL seeks to carve out mini-packages for various media partners, Netflix’s involvement is likely to grow, aligning with the league's strategy to increase its broadcast footprint this season.
As anticipation builds for the September 10 game, ticket sales are expected to generate considerable interest among fans in Australia and abroad. The NFL has indicated that local markets will have access to the game through over-the-air television, adhering to the standard protocol for national broadcasts. This approach aims to balance the accessibility of games with the growing trend of subscription-based streaming services.
The rivalry on the field will be heightened by personal connections, as players like Rams’ Jared Verse and 49ers’ Tatum Bethune and Renardo Green, former teammates at Florida State, prepare for a matchup filled with competitive spirit. "Whenever we play them, it’s like the biggest beef. We don’t say hi to each other pregame. We’re talking trash to each other," Verse shared in an interview, highlighting the intense nature of their upcoming clash.
The NFL’s venture into Australia with this game signifies a milestone for the league and reflects the growing popularity of American football worldwide. As the NFL continues to innovate its broadcasting strategies and expand its global presence, the September 10 game will be a key moment in its history, setting the stage for future international endeavors.
With the NFL schedule release approaching, fans eagerly await the announcement of additional international matchups, including the 49ers' game in Mexico City later in the season. This strategic move aims to captivate existing fans and to cultivate a new audience eager to embrace the excitement of American football on a global scale.