The Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly scheduled to face off in Australia, specifically at Melbourne’s Herald Sun. According to a report on Saturday, the two teams will play in October 2026 at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In a major sporting coup for Victoria, Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles are expected to go head-to-head in a MCG extravaganza. > https://t.co/jsITawMvcS pic.twitter.com/YFbXZIvJAr
— Herald Sun (@theheraldsun) February 1, 2025
This will mark the first NFL regular-season game held in Australia, as the only previous NFL-themed matchup was a preseason game between the Denver Broncos and the then-San Diego Chargers in Sydney back in 1999. Additionally, the Herald Sun reported that this game will kick off a three-game series to be played at the stadium over several years. It’s noted that the NFL and the Victorian state government have been privately negotiating for months regarding this event, with NFL officials visiting the MCG in August to evaluate its suitability for a game.
Back in May 2024, Nine Melbourne’s Tom Morris indicated that there were discussions about a potential 2025 game at the MCG. However, it seems that 2026 became more feasible, particularly as the Rams are scheduled for nine home games that year, and they would be more amenable to giving up a home game for this matchup. Furthermore, the Rams and Eagles are already set to meet in 2026.
Here’s a look at the front page of the Herald Sun print edition.
This is some huge news!! @Eagles could be heading down under for a regular season game!! 🇦🇺 Unbelievable!! Hey @AnthonyLGargano surely the Cuz will make the trip over for it!! 🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/P7gKmskn8K
— vR🦅🧡 (@vr_29) February 1, 2025
CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported in November that the NFL has been investing in recent years to bolster the league’s presence in Australia. This includes the appointment of New Zealand native Charlotte Offord as General Manager for the NFL’s initiatives in Australia in 2022, and opening an NFL Academy on Australia’s Gold Coast in September to develop student-athletes aged 12 to 18.
Additionally, it’s important to note that the Rams and Eagles are the only two teams included in the Global Markets Program in Australia, which grants NFL clubs international marketing rights in specific countries to enhance brand recognition and cultivate fan support beyond the United States.
