The NFL’s historic game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG later this year will fall smack-bang in the middle of the AFL’s 2026 finals series, with the match to take place on Friday, September 11.
The 2026 AFL finals begin with wildcard round on the last weekend of August, which means the Rams and 49ers’ regular season match will fall on semi-final weekend, with kick-off scheduled for 10.35am in Melbourne – prime-time in the United States.
The AFL has previously stated that it was supportive of the event, despite the possible implications for the league’s finals, however it could cause headaches for the league later in the year if two Victorian teams host finals that weekend.
The MCG has hosted exhibition soccer matches, NRL State of Origin and Bledisloe Cup rugby games during the AFL season in the past, as well as concerts in December 2022 before that year’s Boxing Day Test.
In July 2023, the venue had 18 hours to prepare the field for the Bledisloe Cup on a Saturday night after staging an AFL game the previous evening, and 15 hours to be ready again for a Sunday afternoon game of football.
Tickets for the event go on sale on Wednesday, April 8, however MCG members will have access to a pre-sale on April 1.
Melbourne could also play host to an NRL match that weekend if the Storm finish in the top eight, with the NRLs finals kicking-off that same weekend – although that would be played at neighbouring AAMI Park.
Next year’s game will be the first time the NFL has played a regular-season game in the Asia-Pacific region, although Sydney hosted an exhibition match in 1999.
“We are thrilled to be able to confirm the time and date for Australia’s first-ever regular-season NFL game at the MCG between the Rams and 49ers — a match-up that has created plenty of hype and excitement” said NFL Australia and New Zealand general manager Charlotte Offord.
“We know that there is already plenty of appetite for this game, both in Australia and internationally, and we’re looking forward to getting tickets on sale in the coming weeks for what we know is going to be an incredible NFL experience for our fans down under.”
The MCG match, which is a home game for the Rams, is one of nine international games on the NFL’s 2026 calendar, with matches also scheduled in London, Paris, Madrid, Mexico City, Munich and Rio de Janeiro.
More to come.
Billie Eder is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
