From world-class tennis to Formula 1 and major football finals, here’s your guide to the biggest sporting events in Melbourne and Victoria in 2026 and 2027.
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NFL Melbourne game 2026: Rams vs 49ers, tickets, start time, travel tips & MCG guide
The NFL is coming to Australia in a big way, with tickets on sale from early April. Here's what you need to know about the big American football game at the MCG on September 11, and how to make the most of your time in Melbourne.
In 2026, the National Football League (NFL) will stage its first-ever regular season game in Australia, with the Los Angeles Rams facing the San Francisco 49ers at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
For Melbourne, which is widely regarded as Australia’s sporting capital, it’s another major international event alongside the AFL Grand Final, the Australian Open, and the Australian Grand Prix.
The match is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans from Victoria, interstate and the United States, making it the perfect opportunity to explore the culture, food, and theatre of the Melbourne CBD and spectacular destinations of regional Victoria.
If you’re planning to attend, here’s everything you need to know, including tickets, travel tips, public transport, and a five-day Melbourne itinerary built around the game.
RACV Members can also save on entertainment, fuel and everyday purchases with the RACV App - perfect for game day and beyond.
More: Best things to do and see, and places to eat in Melbourne, Victoria
In this article
- When is the NFL game in Melbourne?
- Where will the NFL game in Melbourne be played?
- How can I get tickets to the NFL Melbourne game?
- What time will the NFL Melbourne game start?
- Who is playing in the NFL Melbourne game?
- How do you get to the MCG?
- How far is Melbourne Airport from the city and MCG?
- Why Melbourne is perfect for an NFL game in 2026
- 5-day Melbourne NFL travel itinerary
NFL Melbourne Game 2026: Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers
When is the NFL game in Melbourne?
The NFL has officially confirmed that Melbourne will host its first-ever regular-season game in 2026. The historic matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers is scheduled for Friday, 11 September 2026, with kick‑off set for 10:35 am AEST at the MCG.
For fans in the United States, the game will air live on Thursday, 10 September at 8:35 pm ET (5:35 pm PT) placing it firmly in the early part of the season and aligning with the NFL’s strategy of holding international games within the first month of the schedule. If you're planning to travel to Melbourne, early‑to‑mid September is your window to experience this historic event live.
Where will the NFL game in Melbourne be played?
The game will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, known simply as the MCG.
Located on the edge of the CBD in Melbourne’s sporting precinct, the stadium is one of the world’s most famous sporting venues and can host more than 100,000 spectators, making it one of the largest stadiums to ever host an NFL international game.
The MCG is best known as the home of the AFL’s biggest matches, including the AFL Grand Final, and has hosted countless major events from cricket World Cup finals to international concerts.
Visitors can also explore the Australian Sports Museum inside the stadium, which celebrates Australia’s rich sporting history across AFL, cricket, Olympic sports and more.
How can I get tickets to the NFL Melbourne game?
Hospitality packages will be available to purchase from Ticketmaster starting Monday, April 6 and general admission tickets will go on sale to the public starting Tuesday, April 7.
All ticket and hospitality packages will be available to purchase directly from Ticketmaster’s website. For ticket information, frequently asked questions and further details, visit ticketmaster.com.au/nfl.
Local, interstate and international fans can also:
- Register interest through official NFL channels
- Sign up to team updates for the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers
- Watch for official hospitality packages and travel deals.
How much do tickets cost to the NFL Melbourne game?
Official ticket prices have not yet been released for the NFL Melbourne game.
What time will the NFL Melbourne game start?
The Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers will kick off at 10:35 am AEST on Friday, 11 September 2026 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
That timing aligns perfectly with Thursday night in the United States, airing live at 8:35 pm ET / 5:35 pm PT to capture prime-time audiences. This means Australian fans will enjoy a mid-morning spectacle, while viewers across the United States can enjoy a prime-time NFL showdown in the traditional Thursday Night Football timeslot.
Who is playing in the NFL Melbourne game?
The game will feature the Los Angeles Rams, who won Super Bowl LVI in 2022, and the San Francisco 49ers, who last appeared in the Super Bowl in 2020 (Super Bowl LIV). Both teams are among the NFL’s most widely supported domestically and internationally.
Where to watch NFL games on TV and in person in Melbourne
Australian viewers can watch NFL games live on television via Kayo, ESPN and Channel 7. These platforms provide full live coverage, replays and condensed games, making it easy to follow the season despite the early starts.
For fans wanting a game‑day atmosphere in Melbourne, several sports bars and pubs regularly screen NFL games live, especially marquee matchups and the Super Bowl. Popular venues across the CBD, Richmond and Southbank often open early for major fixtures, offering big screens, American‑style food and a passionate crowd of local NFL supporters.
You can cruise up and down the Yarra River for an awesome views of the city and MCG. Image: Visit Victoria.
How do you get to the MCG?
One of the advantages of the MCG is its central location and excellent public transport.
By train
- Jolimont Station is the closest station to the MCG
- Richmond Station is another major transport hub within walking distance
Both stations are served by multiple train lines from across Melbourne. If you're using a Metro Tunnel service, you’ll need to change at a connecting station, such as Flinders Street Station, to a non–Metro Tunnel suburban line. This includes services that stop at Jolimont, such as the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines, or at Richmond, such as the Frankston, Lilydale and Glen Waverley lines from Flinders Street Station.
By tram
Several tram routes from the CBD stop near the stadium along Wellington Parade, Bridge Road and Swan Street including the 75, 48 and 70
By foot
The MCG is about a 20-minute walk from the CBD through parklands and across the Yarra River.
Public transport is strongly recommended for major events, as parking near the stadium is limited.
How far is Melbourne Airport from the city and MCG?
The Melbourne Airport is located around 23km from Melbourne CBD and approximately 27km from the MCG.
Typical travel times:
- 25–35 minutes by car, rideshare or taxi (depending on traffic)
- SkyBus airport shuttle to Southern Cross Station, then train or tram to the MCG
For international visitors, the SkyBus is one of the easiest options, operating frequent services to the Melbourne CBD.
Visit the nearby Yarra Valley for scenic views such as this one at TarraWarra Museum of Art and winery. Image: Visit Victoria.
Why Melbourne is perfect for an NFL game in 2026
Melbourne’s sporting culture is unmatched in Australia, making it an ideal choice for the NFL to mark the first regular-season NFL match ever played in Australia. The city regularly packs stadiums for AFL matches, international cricket and global events.
But Melbourne also excels beyond sport. Visitors arriving for the NFL game can enjoy world-class restaurants and café culture, a thriving theatre scene with a range of theatre shows and musical productions, rooftop bars, laneway dining, live music, and arts and cultural events.
It’s the combination of sport, culture and food that makes Melbourne one of the world’s great event cities, with plenty of free things to do, too.
5-day NFL Melbourne 2026 travel itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and explore Melbourne’s CBD
Start your trip exploring the heart of the city.
Highlights include: ·
- Federation Square and the Yarra River
- Street art in Hosier Lane
- Queen Victoria Market
- Laneway cafés and rooftop bars
For evening entertainment, catch a theatre show in Melbourne’s East End theatre district, where many of the city’s major musicals and productions are staged.
Day 2: Discover Melbourne’s food and culture
Spend the day exploring Melbourne’s diverse neighbourhoods and parks.
Top areas include:
- Chinatown for dumpling houses, late-night eateries and historic laneways
- Carlton for Italian dining along Lygon Street
- Southbank for riverside restaurants and bars
- Royal Botanic Gardens for stunning trees, garden beds, lawns and a lake.
- South Yarra, Fitzroy and Collingwood for shopping and eclectic bars
- Richmond for Melbourne’s famous pub scene
If you’re looking for budget-friendly dining, RACV Members can often find restaurant discounts and dining offers through the RACV App.
Day 3: NFL Game Day at the MCG
Game day is the centrepiece of the trip to Melbourne.
Arrive early to soak up the atmosphere around the sporting precinct and explore the mighty MCG before kickoff.
Day 4: Wine tasting in the Yarra Valley
One of the best day trips from Melbourne is the Yarra Valley, located around an hour from the city.
The region is famous for:
- Cool-climate wines including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
- Scenic vineyard restaurants
- Gourmet produce and farm-gate experiences
It’s an easy escape from the city and a perfect recovery day after the excitement of the game. You can also visit nearby Healesville, a popular gateway to the Yarra Valley known for its boutique wineries, local produce, cafés and family-friendly wildlife experiences.
Day 5: Explore Victoria’s beautiful day trips
Victoria is packed with spectacular destinations within a few hours of Melbourne.
Some of the most popular day trips or overnight stays include:
- Torquay and the Great Ocean Road for dramatic coastal scenery
- Mornington Peninsula for beaches, wineries and hot springs
- Phillip Island for the famous penguin parade
- Ballarat, Bendigo and the Goldfields for Sovereign Hill and gold rush history.
You can also explore some of Victoria’s most beautiful country towns, perfect for exploring hidden gems, boutique accommodation and regional food experiences.
See the penguins in their natural setting at Phillip Island Nature Parks, one of Victoria's most popular tourist attractions. Image: Visit Victoria.
