The NFL will continue its expansion to international audiences during the 2026 regular season. It will take on new territory while heading to Australia.
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According to a press release, the Los Angeles Rams will head down under in 2026 to become the designated home team. They will host a game in Melbourne, Australia. This will mark the NFL's first-ever regular season game on the world's smallest continent.
This game at Melbourne Cricket Ground will kick off the NFL's multi-year commitment to play games in Australia.
TOUCHDOWN AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺
In 2026 we’re officially coming to Melbourne.
Register your interest 👉 https://t.co/mHEV3ygdr2 pic.twitter.com/WNoq2oPJj3
— NFL Australia & NZ (@NFLAUNZ) February 5, 2025
"Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a press release.
"Together with the Victorian State Government, Visit Victoria, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and with the Los Angeles Rams in 2026, we look forward to making history in what is an important market for the NFL and a significant next step in expanding our international footprint."
The Los Angeles Rams are one of two teams to hold marketing rights in Australia through the NFL's Global Markets Program. The NFC West team has taken full advantage of this by making several trips to the continent.
Former Rams running back Todd Gurley was present for the NFL Flag Youth Championship down under. Torry Holt spent time in Sydney for a Rams watch party and youth clinic. The Rams launched a special Instagram profile for the continent.
The team also took the Super Bowl 56 trophy on a tour to Sydney and Melbourne.
"When we first identified Australia as one of our global markets, it was not only because of our passionate fans who reside there, but also because of the important role Los Angeles plays in serving as a gateway to Australia and many countries across the Pacific," said Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke in a statement.
"Today is an exciting day for Rams fans across the world, especially in Australia, where our players and organization have received an enthusiastic reception over the past few years when we have been in market."
