The Australian Open. The Formula One Grand Prix. The AFL Grand Final. The Boxing Day Test. Melbourne has long been known as Australia’s sporting capital, but in case you needed further proof, here it is: news has just dropped that the city will play host to Australia’s first-ever regular season NFL games, as part of a massive multi-year deal.
The matches will feature the Los Angeles Rams as the ‘home’ team, with the opposing side still to be confirmed. The games will be played at the MCG – aka the sporting heartland of Melbourne – in 2026, although the exact dates for kick-off are also yet to be revealed. As part of the deal, two games are locked in, with an option of a third.
“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,” said premier Jacinta Allan.
NFL, also known as American Football, is the USA’s most popular sport. That means footage of Melbourne as the host city will be beamed live to the almost 20 million Americans who tune into each game (not to mention the millions more who watch from across the globe).
The Super Bowl continues to grow in popularity among Aussies, with many of Melbourne’s pubs, sports bars and live sites throwing viewing parties to watch the epic event. This year, the Super Bowl LIX will see the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs (who won last year), with Kendrick Lamar hitting the stage for the Halftime Show.
“Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. “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.”
The major coup aligns with the recent news that Delta Air Lines is launching three new direct flights between Melbourne and LA, starting in December. Perfect timing, right?
To register for more info around dates, tickets and pricing, visit the website here.
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