The NFL is holding games around the world this year. The MCG is its first confirmed game for next season. Photo: stock
Melbourne is to play ‘home’ to the Los Angeles Rams in a multi-year deal to host regular NFL season games from next year.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan was joined by Visit Victoria chairman Andy Penn and Visit Victoria director Eddie McGuire at the MCG to announce the deal today.
The MCG has been named as the host venue and will welcome the LA Rams as the ‘host’ team. The other team has not been confirmed yet nor has the term of the deal.
Allan says the decision is “another touchdown for the sporting capital of Australia”.
“… Victoria is now the only city in Australia to host the NFL.
“It’s a win for jobs, a win for businesses and a win for fans who will get to see American Football played in the best stadium in the world,” she claims.
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos says the game is “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans on the hallowed turf of the MCG”.
“It is a massive coup, thousands of jobs, millions of people watching our state – a huge boost to the Victorian economy.”
Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements claims his state is “the natural home” for top world events.
“All the must-see, big-ticket items are here; the fact the NFL will play its first regular season game in Melbourne confirms our status as Australia’s sporting and events capital.”
NFL REACTIONS
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says that expanding to Melbourne “underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth”.
“… 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.”
Rams owner Stanley Kroenke says Australia was identified as one of their global markets due to their fans who live there and LA’s role as a gateway to Australia and the Pacific.
“Today is an exciting day for Rams fans across the world, especially in Australia, where our players and organisation have received an enthusiastic reception over the past few years when we have been in market.
“This is the next important step for the Rams and the broader Kroenke Sports & Entertainment family to continue to expand our reach globally,” he says.
“We are thrilled to work with Commissioner Goodell and the league office to make history and bring the first NFL regular season game to Australia.”
The Victoria Government believes hosting the regular season game will expose the state to almost 20 million Americans who watch each NFL game and millions more worldwide.
According to the Rams website, they and the Philadelphia Eagles hold the NFL marketing rights for Australia.
The Rams are already charging US $500 deposits per person to secure priority access for the game.
In 2025, the NFL confirmed games will be held in London, Berlin and Madrid.
The Melbourne game is the first international NFL season game confirmed for 2026.
