Australia's first NFL regular-season game arrives on Friday morning, with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers meeting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday 11 September 2026 |
| Kickoff | 10:35am AEST |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| NFL Stadium Campus | Opens 7:00am AEST |
| Primary listed broadcast | Netflix |
If you're going to the MCG
The NFL's official game-day guide recommends arriving early because fans need time for security screening and ticket scanning, while the Stadium Campus in Yarra Park opens at 7am. That gives supporters more than three hours before kickoff for the surrounding fan experience.
The MCG is not a purpose-built NFL stadium, which makes normal international-game advice particularly important: have your mobile ticket ready before reaching the gate, check the league's bag policy in advance and allow more time than you think you need.
If you're watching from home
The NFL lists Netflix as the broadcast destination for the Melbourne game, with NFL+ also listed for eligible mobile access in the United States. Australian viewers should check the service they normally use for NFL access as local availability and package rights can differ.
The 10:35am AEST kickoff is unusually friendly by Australian NFL standards. Brisbane and Sydney are also on AEST at this point of the year, while other Australian time zones should adjust accordingly.
The football story
The location is historic, but the matchup deserves attention on its own. The Rams enter the season with Myles Garrett added to an already dangerous front, while Aaron Donald has been ruled out of the opener. San Francisco has spent more than a week in Australia preparing for the trip, while Los Angeles chose a much later arrival.
The 49ers are also dealing with a major defensive-line loss after Alfred Collins suffered a season-ending patellar tendon injury in Melbourne.
AGN recommendation: if you're attending, treat 7am as the start of the event rather than 10:35am. If you're watching from home, this may be the most civilised NFL kickoff Australia gets all season.