America’s National Football League (NFL) has confirmed it is coming to Australia.
The NFL on Thursday morning confirmed the first regular season NFL game will be held in 2026 and feature the Los Angeles Rams.
It will be held at the MCG and is the first of a multi-year agreement. The media release does not specify the length of the deal.
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The opponent and exact date of the game has not been announced, although it was earlier reported the Philadelphia Eagles would also be coming Down Under.
The Rams and Eagles hold existing marketing rights in Australia under the league’s Global Markets Program.
“Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
“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.”
American football has grown in popularity throughout Australia and the sport is increasing its footprint in the country.
The NFL opened an academy on the Gold Coast last year, two years after establishing an office in the country.
Jordan Mailata, a former junior rugby league player from Sydney, will play Monday’s Super Bowl for Philadelphia.
At a Super Bowl media call earlier this week Mailata was asked about the possibility of NFL games being played in Australia.
“It’d mean everything to bring a game back home. Just for eyes and viewership,” Mailata said.
“I really want this game to grow back home, so if we can bring a game back there to generate interest and keep the growth of the game going, that’d mean a lot to me.
“The best thing about football is that you can play at any size, at any height. I’m 6 foot 8 (203cm), but there are guys on my team (who are a lot smaller).
“There are different heights and different sizes of every teammate of mine, and I think that’s what makes the sport beautiful.”