LA Rams’ opponent for historic MCG clash revealed

The San Francisco 49ers will be the team facing the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in the first regular-season NFL game in Australia next season, the league said Thursday.

The league had announced last year that it will be playing a game in 2026 in Melbourne at the MCG.

The Rams were announced last year as the home team for that game, part of a multi-year commitment to play in Melbourne.

The NFL will play a record nine international games next season.

The league has confirmed three games in London and one each in Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Munich, Madrid and Paris.

“As we continue our preparations for the NFL’s first-ever regular season game at the MCG in Melbourne, we are delighted that the San Francisco 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams,” NFL Australia & New Zealand general manager Charlotte Offord said.

“The 49ers are a popular franchise within the Australian market, and this rivalry game solidifies what we know is going to be an incredible NFL experience for our fans down under.”

The date and kickoff time will be announced later, but the match is likely to be played in early September in a mid-morning timeslot to suit US television audiences.

The Rams have had marketing rights in Australia since the NFL started its international marketing program in 2022.

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”As we make history with the NFL and bring the first regular season game to Australia, we are pleased to take our annual match-up against our NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers to the MCG,” Rams president Kevin Demoff said.

“Since we first secured marketing rights to the country in 2021 and more recently since the announcement of this game last year, we have seen tremendous excitement for our team from fans both in Australia and also across the world. We look forward to spending this off-season continuing to deepen our connection with the Melbourne community leading up to the game this fall.”

Said 49ers CEO Al Guido: “This is a terrific opportunity to continue to support the league in its mission to grow the game of football. We look forward to working with the NFL to benefit local Australian communities through sport.”

AP, Reuters

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