49ers vs Rams in Melbourne: the league leaves home on night two
Thursday 10 September, 8:35 p.m. ET. San Francisco versus Los Angeles at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Local kickoff Friday 10:35 a.m. AEST.
Why this one matters: the league spent a century pretending the map stopped at the ocean. Week 1 of 2026 puts an NFC West rivalry in a cricket ground on Netflix.
49ers versus Rams, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Thursday 10 September 8:35 p.m. ET, Friday morning in Melbourne. It is the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia. It is also night two of a season that opened with a Super Bowl rematch.
No score yet. Do not invent one. The stake is the place.
The stakes
A franchise rivalry in a new country, on a streaming app, 24 hours after kickoff.
The rivalry angle
NFC West, twice a year, once on the other side of the world.
Players who could decide it
NFC West, travelling the farthest for Week 1.
Listed as the home side in Melbourne.
Did you know?
- !First NFL regular-season game in Australia.
- !Netflix, 8:35 p.m. ET Thursday.
- !Local kickoff 10:35 a.m. AEST Friday.
Sources
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