Rams v 49ers game scheduled during 2026 AFL finals
The NFL’s historic match between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers at the MCG later this year will fall right in the middle of the AFL’s 2026 finals series, with the match to be played on Friday, September 11.
The 2026 AFL finals kick off with a wildcard round on the last weekend of August; That means the Rams’ and 49ers’ regular-season game will fall on semifinal weekend, with kickoff scheduled for 10:35 a.m. in Melbourne, prime time in the United States.
The AFL has previously stated that it supports the event despite its potential ramifications on the league finals; However, if two Victorian teams host the finals that weekend it could cause a league headache later in the year.
The MCG has in the past hosted exhibition football matches during the AFL season, NRL State of Origin and Bledisloe Cup rugby matches and concerts in December 2022 ahead of the same year’s Boxing Day test.
In July 2023, the venue had 18 hours to prepare the pitch for the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday night after playing an AFL match the previous evening, and 15 hours to be ready again for the football match on Sunday afternoon.
Tickets for the event will go on sale on Wednesday 8 April, but MCG members will have access to pre-sale on 1 April.
If the Storm finish in the top eight and the NRL finals start the same weekend, Melbourne could also host an NRL match that weekend – but it will be played at neighboring AAMI Park.
Next year’s match will be the first time the NFL has played a regular season game in the Asia-Pacific region, although Sydney hosted an exhibition game in 1999.
“We are excited to be able to confirm the time and date for Australia’s first regular season NFL match between the Rams and 49ers at the MCG, a matchup that has generated a lot of buzz and excitement,” said NFL Australia and New Zealand general manager Charlotte Offord.
“We know there is huge appetite for this match both in Australia and internationally and we look forward to tickets going on sale in the coming weeks for what we know will be an incredible NFL experience for our fans.”
The Rams’ home game at the MCG is one of nine international games on the NFL’s 2026 schedule, with games also scheduled in London, Paris, Madrid, Mexico City, Munich and Rio de Janeiro.
More to come.
Billie Eder is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
