Santa Clara (United States) (AFP) – The San Francisco 49ers were named on Thursday to face the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia, set for Melbourne later this year. Iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will serve as the venue for the landmark matchup of the California rivals.
The Australian contest will be among an NFL record nine global games in the 2026 campaign, including three in London and others in Paris, Madrid, Munich, Mexico City, and Rio de Janeiro. The Rams and 49ers split two regular-season meetings in the 2025 season, each club winning on the road. Both teams went 12-5 last season, but each lost to Seattle in the playoffs.
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“We are delighted that the San Francisco 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams,” NFL Australia and New Zealand general manager Charlotte Offord said. “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.”
Niners chief executive Al Guido called it a “terrific opportunity” to support the league’s mission to grow the game. The NFL also announced that the Dallas Cowboys will be one of the teams playing in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium in 2026, with the date of the game and the Cowboys’ opponent to be announced at a later date.
NFL Brazil General Manager Luis Martinez said bringing the “iconic” franchise to Maracana “marks a powerful milestone in the continued growth of the sport worldwide.” The NFL has played two games in Brazil, with the Packers and Eagles clashing in 2024 and the Chiefs and Chargers in 2025, both in Sao Paulo.
© 2024 AFP
