The first ever regular-season NFL clash to be held in Australia is on its way to the Melbourne Cricket Ground this year, and will feature a historic clash between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
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The NFL announced on Thursday the MCG would host one of what will be nine international games in 2026 across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums, with Melbourne joining London (three games), Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Munich, Madrid and Paris as hosts.
The NFL said the match, the date and time of which has yet to be announced, would be staged in partnership with the Victorian State Government and Visit Victoria.
"As we continue our preparations for the NFL's first-ever regular season game at the MCG in Melbourne, we are delighted that the San Francisco 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams," said NFL Australia & New Zealand general manager Charlotte Offord.
"The 49ers are a popular franchise within the Australian market, and this rivalry game solidifies what we know is going to be an incredible NFL experience for our fans Down Under."
It was already known that the two-time Super Bowl winners, the Rams, would be the 'home' team for the Melbourne clash, but the 49ers are also another storied franchise with five 'world championship' triumphs to their name.
"This is a terrific opportunity to continue to support the league in its mission to grow the game of football," said Al Guido, CEO of the 49ers.
"We look forward to working with the NFL to benefit local Australian communities through sport."
The news comes in a week when Sydney-born star punter Michael Dickson will be featuring in the Super Bowl for the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots.
"As we make history with the NFL and bring the first regular season game to Australia, we are pleased to take our annual match-up against our NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers to the MCG," added Rams president Kevin Demoff.
"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 off-season continuing to deepen our connection with the Melbourne community leading up to the game this fall."
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan enthused: "Bringing the NFL to the MCG is a huge win both on and off the field and hosting a team like the San Francisco 49ers will make it even better.
"We can't wait to welcome these two great teams to Melbourne and showcase the best of our city and our state."
Australian Associated Press
