The historic kickoff down under
Transforming the iconic oval
The NFL's global conquest
A nation of footy lovers
YOUR GOAL
Master of Gridiron in Australia
dave Playing a regular-season game abroad means sacrificing a crucial home-field advantage in a highly competitive division.
dave Head coaches Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan chose completely opposite travel strategies to handle the massive 15-hour flight.
Oldest NFL venue: The Melbourne Cricket Ground, opened in 1853, is the oldest stadium ever to host an official regular-season NFL game.
A kick that begins play in an American football game. In September 2026, the Rams and 49ers held a historic regular-season kickoff at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Which streaming platform broadcasted the 2026 Rams vs. 49ers game in Melbourne to global audiences?
How early did the San Francisco 49ers arrive in Australia before their 2026 game against the Rams?
What is the official seating capacity of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the host venue for the 2026 NFL game?
What strict stadium security policy was introduced to the Melbourne Cricket Ground specifically for the NFL game?
Which two NFL teams played in the historic 2026 regular-season opener in Melbourne, Australia?
Why was playing this specific game in Australia a major competitive risk for the Los Angeles Rams?
How long is the direct flight from California to Melbourne, Australia, for the traveling NFL teams?