The San Francisco 49ers have arrived in Melbourne, Australia, ahead of their historic NFL regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on September 11, 2026. (washingtonpost.com) This marks the first-ever NFL regular-season game to be played in Australia, signifying a significant milestone in the league's international expansion efforts.
The 49ers' 200-member traveling party touched down on Friday morning after a 15-hour chartered flight. They plan to spend the week acclimating to the local conditions before facing the Rams in front of an expected sold-out crowd at the MCG. In contrast, the Rams are scheduled to arrive just a day before the game. (washingtonpost.com)
The game is set to kick off at 10:35 a.m. AEST on Friday, September 11, aligning with prime-time television in the United States at 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 10. Fans worldwide can watch the game live on Netflix, with the Jonas Brothers headlining the halftime show. (nfl.com)
In the lead-up to the game, Melbourne will host the NFL Kickoff Festival from September 10 to 12 at Melbourne Park. This three-day event will feature American football-themed activities, live entertainment, and fan experiences, celebrating the NFL's debut in Australia. (nfl.com)
Tickets for the game are available through Ticketmaster, with options ranging from general admission to hospitality packages. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets through official channels to ensure validity. (nfl.com)
This landmark event underscores the NFL's commitment to growing its global fan base and brings American football to Australian shores in an unprecedented fashion.