Rams vs. 49ers: Exciting Game Set for Australia Next Season
The Los Angeles Rams are set to face the San Francisco 49ers in a highly anticipated match in Australia next season, marking the NFL’s inaugural regular-season game down under. The announcement was made on Thursday during “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN by Robert Irwin, the Australian actor and conservationist known for his late father, Steve Irwin, and his work on “Crocodile Hunter.”
While the NFL has yet to specify a date for the game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, it is expected to occur in the first week of the season due to the significant 19-hour time difference and the travel logistics for both teams.
Rams president Kevin Demoff expressed excitement over this milestone, stating, “As we make history with the NFL and bring the first regular season game to Australia, we are pleased to take our annual matchup against our NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers to the MCG. Since we first secured marketing rights to the country in 2021 and more recently since the announcement of this game last year, we have seen tremendous excitement for our team from fans both in Australia and also across the world. We look forward to spending this offseason continuing to deepen our connection with the Melbourne community leading up to the game this fall.”
As part of the NFL’s International Series initiative, designated home teams can safeguard two scheduled home games from being played overseas. With the upcoming match against the 49ers, which traditionally attracts a large contingent of 49ers fans, the Rams will host the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium next season.
In the last decade, the Rams have expanded their brand under the NFL’s Global Markets Program, securing rights in various countries, including Mexico, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. The team has been actively promoting its presence in Australia; following a minicamp in Hawaii last June, players including defensive lineman Kobie Turner, offensive lineman Steve Avila, and tight end Davis Allen attended a fan combine in Melbourne.
Since their return to Los Angeles in 2016, the Rams have participated in four International Series games, all held in London, with the most recent victory coming against the Jacksonville Jaguars last October. In addition to the upcoming Australian game, the NFL has confirmed plans for three more games in London and one each in Rio de Janeiro, Munich, Madrid, and Paris in 2026.
