National Football League Heads to Australia for First Time
The National Football League (NFL) is set to make its debut in Australia, with plans to play games in Melbourne starting in 2026. According to a report by the Herald Sun, up to three games will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with the first match featuring two teams with recent success.
One of the games will pit the Philadelphia Eagles against the Los Angeles Rams, the only two teams participating in the NFL’s Global Markets Program in Australia. The Eagles are set to return to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years, while the Rams won the title three years ago.
The MCG, which has a seating capacity of around 100,000, will host the games. The NFL has previously played games in London, Mexico, and Germany, but this will be its first venture into Australia.
The league has been in secret talks with the Victorian government for months, and the games are expected to be a major boost for the sport in the region. The NFL has also played a preseason game in Australia before, with the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers facing off in 1999.
The Eagles have a strong connection to Australia, with offensive tackle Jordan Mailata being born in the country. Mailata was a star rugby player before transitioning to football and has been a key player for the Eagles.
The NFL will also play its first game in Spain later this year, with the Miami Dolphins’ opponent to be determined. The league has been expanding its global reach in recent years, and this move into Australia is seen as a major step forward.