49ers vs. Rams in Australia Set for September

The NFL's first-ever regular season game in Melbourne will take place on September 9 or 10, 2026.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are set to face off in the first-ever NFL regular season game held in Melbourne, Australia. The matchup, originally scheduled for a Sunday in Week 1, has now been moved to either Wednesday, September 9 or Thursday, September 10, 2026 to allow both teams more time to prepare and recover from the lengthy travel.

Why it matters

This international game represents the NFL's continued push to grow the sport globally, with Australia being a key market. The midweek timing should help ease the logistical challenges for the teams compared to a Sunday game, which would have required a quick turnaround.

The details

The 49ers-Rams game will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In addition to this Australia matchup, the 49ers are also reportedly set to host a regular-season game in Mexico City in December 2026, making them the first NFL team to play multiple international games in non-consecutive weeks during the same season.

  • The game is expected to be played on either Wednesday, September 9 or Thursday, September 10, 2026.
  • The full 2026 NFL schedule is expected to be released in May.

The players

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are an American professional football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are an American professional football team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

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What they’re saying

“It could be 49ers-Rams on Wednesday, with the Seahawks' home opener landing on Thursday. That also could flip, with the Seahawks playing on Wednesday and the Australia game happening on Thursday.”

— Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk (Puck)

What’s next

The NFL is expected to release the full 2026 NFL schedule in May, though international game dates are typically announced in advance.

The takeaway

The 49ers-Rams matchup in Australia represents the NFL's continued efforts to grow the sport globally, with the midweek timing helping to ease the logistical challenges for the teams compared to a traditional Sunday game.