Melbourne is set to create history in 2026 following an announcement that will see the NFL venture to Australia on a multi-year deal.
The MCG will host the first-ever regular season match of the NFL competition, the first of its kind in the land down under.
Specific match details will be announced at a later date, with some LA media outlets suggesting the game could be held in Week 1 of the 2026/27 season in early September, likely coinciding with the AFL's pre-finals bye.
The NFL had previously been seen in Australia in 1999 when Sydney hosted a pre-season clash between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers.
The Los Angeles Rams have been announced as the "designated home team" whilst their opponents are yet to be revealed.
"Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement ahead of Monday's Super Bowl match-up between Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
"We look forward to making history in what is an important market for the NFL and a significant next step in expanding our international footprint."
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan referred to the deal as "a major touchdown", declaring the city of Melbourne will make history for hosting grand slam events.
"Melbourne will become the only city in the world that will host an international tennis grand slam (tournament), a Formula One Grand Prix and now an NFL regular-season game," Allan said according to ABC.
Visit Victoria board member and former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire shared the same sentiment as Allan, stating the MCG is the "theatre of dreams" for major world events.
The LA Rams, alongside the Philadelphia Eagles, hold marketing rights in Australia as part of the league's Global Markets Program, an initiative to build the game internationally.
The NFL has played 55 regular season games internationally, with London, Mexico City, Toronto, São Paulo, Brazil and two German cities — Munich and Frankfurt – serving as hosts.
