Rams and 49ers will compete in Australia

Rams to Play Regular Season Game in Melbourne

SAN FRANCISCO — The Los Angeles Rams are set to make a bold move to Melbourne, Australia, for their first-ever regular season game next year.

And, as luck would have it, they’ll be facing none other than their biggest rival.

On Thursday, the NFL confirmed that the Rams will host the San Francisco 49ers, their longstanding NFC West competitors, at the renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground.

This historic match is being organized in collaboration with the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria. It will be part of an impressive lineup of nine international games scheduled for 2026, spread across eight stadiums, four continents, and seven countries.

Charlotte Offord, the NFL General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, expressed excitement, saying, “We are thrilled to have the San Francisco 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams as we prepare for the NFL’s first-ever regular season game at the MCG. The 49ers have a strong fan base in Australia, and this rivalry matchup is expected to offer an exceptional NFL experience for our supporters.”

49ers CEO Al Guido also shared his thoughts, describing it as a fantastic chance to support the league’s efforts to grow the sport. “We look forward to working with the NFL to positively impact local Australian communities through sports,” he added.

For the Rams, this is definitely a groundbreaking opportunity. Los Angeles Rams President Kevin Demoff remarked, “As we make NFL history and welcome Australia’s first regular season game, we’re excited to bring our annual rivalry game against the 49ers to the MCG. Since obtaining marketing rights for Melbourne in 2021, we’ve noticed a surge in support for our team from fans globally. We’re eager to strengthen our ties with the Melbourne community as we gear up for this autumn showdown.”