NFL Australia: Melbourne Cricket Ground to host first game in 2026
The NFL’s international growth continues, with Australia being recognized as the sixth overseas country and will win the regular season.
The league has made live visits to Melbourne and Sydney to explore the feasibility of playing in Australia.
In the 2026 season, the Melbourne Cricket Stadium was selected as the first match held in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Los Angeles Rams will be the first “home” team that MCG has promised for many years, with a capacity of about 100,000.
“The International Olympic Games are one of the most influential elements of our global strategy,” said Peter O’Reilly, executive vice president of NFL.
“We’ve seen in recent years. These games are really the catalyst for growing games at all levels and throughout the year.”
The NFL has been rapidly expanding its global reach in recent years, with its first game in South America this season in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
O’Reilly said the Melbourne game will be “probably” scheduled for the first week of the 2026 season (just like Brazil’s match), which makes it easier for the team to adapt.
Melbourne announcement is in New Orleans During Super Bowl Week, Further news is expected for the international competition next season.
So far, it has been confirmed Madrid and Berlin Their first game will be held in 2025 and will be played again in London.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell previously said the league “shoots” for eight international games in 2025.
He “expected” to return to Brazil, The first game in Ireland was “possibility”,
