One day out from the first-ever regular-season NFL game in Australia. Both teams are in Melbourne. The MCG is sold out. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast is near-perfect football weather — sunny afternoon, light winds, 7-17°C, morning fog possible. And 8.8 million Australian NFL fans are about to have gridiron finally arrive on their own turf. This is your complete 2026 NFL schedule for Australian fans — Week 1, the MCG game, weekly rhythms, international series, playoffs and Super Bowl LXI. All times AEST, all broadcasters confirmed.
Open the Live TV Guide →
- The MCG Melbourne game — Friday 11 September
- Week 1 schedule (all 16 games, AEST times & broadcasters)
- Weekly rhythm — Thursday, Sunday & Monday football
- International Series — Melbourne, London, Dublin, Berlin, Madrid
- Key dates through the season
- Where to watch — quick guide
- Frequently asked questions
The MCG Melbourne game — Friday 11 September AEST
San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams — the first regular-season NFL game ever played in Australia. NFC West rivals meeting in Week 1, with genuine playoff implications and one of the most iconic stadiums in the world as backdrop.
| Gameday essentials | |
| Kickoff | 10:35am AEST (Thursday 8:35pm ET / 5:35pm PT in USA) |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground (~100,000 capacity) |
| Weather forecast | Cloud clearing, min 7°C max 17°C, morning fog possible, 5% rain chance |
| Free-to-air | Channel 7 & 7plus Sport from 9:00am AEST (with Sunrise live from Melbourne) |
| Subscription (best coverage) | ESPN via Kayo Sports, Disney+, Foxtel, Fetch TV — from 8:30am AEST |
| Streaming | Netflix (included with any Netflix plan) |
| Halftime show | The Jonas Brothers |
| Broadcast team (Netflix) | Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Luke Kuechly (analyst), Tom Pelissero & MJ Acosta-Ruiz (sideline) |
| NFL Kickoff Festival | Melbourne Park, Thursday 10 – Saturday 12 September |
Read our full preview: 1 Day To Go — NFL Melbourne MCG Game Preview
NFL Week 1 — full schedule (AEST)
Every Week 1 game with kickoff time and confirmed Australian broadcaster. For the full weekly game-by-game schedule with live updates, use our Live TV Guide.
| Date (AEST) | Matchup | AU Broadcaster |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 10 Sept, 10:20am | Cowboys @ Seahawks (Season Opener — SB LX rematch) | Channel 7, ESPN |
| Fri 11 Sept, 10:35am | 49ers vs Rams @ MCG (NFL Melbourne Game) | Channel 7, ESPN, Netflix |
| Sun 13 Sept, 3:00am | Bengals @ Browns · Steelers @ Jets · Panthers @ Jaguars · Cardinals @ Saints · Raiders @ Patriots · Giants @ Commanders · Dolphins @ Colts · Buccaneers @ Falcons | ESPN, 7mate (selected) |
| Mon 14 Sept, 6:25am | Titans @ Broncos · Packers @ Bears · Vikings @ Chargers · Texans @ Bills · Chiefs @ Eagles (SNF) | ESPN, 7mate (SNF) |
| Tue 15 Sept, 10:15am | Ravens @ Lions (Monday Night Football) | ESPN via Kayo |
Note: matchup listings show representative Sunday/Monday games. Some kickoff times may vary — check the Live TV Guide for exact game-by-game times.
Weekly rhythm — Australian NFL viewing pattern
Once Week 1 concludes, the NFL settles into a predictable weekly pattern. Here’s what to expect through the regular season:
| Slot (AEST) | Games | AU Broadcaster |
|---|---|---|
| Friday morning | Thursday Night Football (1 game) | Prime Video AU, ESPN |
| Monday early morning | Sunday early games (~9 games from 3:00am) | ESPN, 7mate (selected) |
| Monday morning | Sunday late games (~5 games from 6:00am) | ESPN, 7mate |
| Monday morning ~10am | Sunday Night Football (marquee game) | ESPN, 7mate |
| Monday 3am-10am | NFL RedZone (7+ hours whip-around) | Disney+ exclusive |
| Tuesday morning | Monday Night Football (1 game) | ESPN via Kayo/Disney+ |
2026 NFL International Series — full slate
The Melbourne game is the anchor but not the only international NFL match. The 2026 season features seven international games in six countries — the most in NFL history:
| Date (AEST) | City / Venue | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 11 Sept | Melbourne, Australia (MCG) | 49ers vs Rams (first ever) |
| Mon 29 Sept | Dublin, Ireland (Croke Park) | Vikings vs Steelers (first ever) |
| Mon 6 Oct | London (Tottenham Hotspur) | Broncos vs Jets |
| Mon 13 Oct | London (Wembley Stadium) | Browns vs Vikings |
| Mon 20 Oct | London (Tottenham Hotspur) | Rams vs Jaguars |
| Mon 10 Nov | Berlin, Germany (Olympiastadion) | Falcons vs Colts |
| Mon 17 Nov | Madrid, Spain (Bernabéu) | Dolphins vs Commanders (first ever) |
| TBC | Mexico City (Estadio Banorte) | 49ers vs opponent TBC |
Key dates through the 2026-27 NFL season
| Date (AEST) | Event |
|---|---|
| Thu 10 September | Season opener: Cowboys @ Seahawks |
| Fri 11 September | NFL Melbourne Game: 49ers vs Rams @ MCG |
| Fri 26 Nov (US Thanksgiving Day) | Three Thanksgiving Day games |
| Wed 25 Dec | Christmas Day games on Netflix (Packers @ Bears, Bills vs Broncos) |
| Sun 4 Jan 2027 | Regular season concludes (Week 18) |
| Sun 11 Jan 2027 | Wild Card Weekend begins |
| Sun 18 Jan 2027 | Divisional Round |
| Sun 25 Jan 2027 | Conference Championships |
| Sun 1 Feb 2027 | Pro Bowl Games |
| Mon 16 February 2027 | Super Bowl LXI live from Los Angeles — Channel 7 + ESPN |
Where to watch — quick guide
Australia has three main ways to watch NFL in 2026. In brief:
- Free (Channel 7, 7mate, 7plus Sport) — MCG game, Super Bowl LXI, selected Sunday games, all playoff coverage
- ESPN (via Kayo Sports, Disney+, Foxtel, Fetch) — 6+ live games weekly, every playoff game, Pro Bowl, Super Bowl LXI, RedZone (Disney+ exclusive)
- Netflix — MCG game, NFL Christmas Day games
- Prime Video — Thursday Night Football
For the complete broadcaster breakdown, pricing, packages and platform decision guide: How to Watch NFL in Australia 2026 — Every Game, Every Platform
One email per day at 7:00pm AEST. Tomorrow’s NFL games with confirmed Australian broadcasters, AEST kickoff times, and the pick of the day. Free.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the NFL Melbourne game start?
Kickoff is Friday 11 September 2026 at 10:35am AEST. That’s Thursday 10 September at 8:35pm ET / 5:35pm PT in the USA. ESPN’s coverage begins at 8:30am AEST; Seven Network’s coverage from 9:00am AEST.
Where can I watch the MCG game for free?
Channel 7 and 7plus Sport (Seven’s free streaming platform) — coverage from 9:00am AEST. No subscription required. 7plus Sport works on phones, tablets, smart TVs, and computers.
What’s the weather forecast for the MCG game?
Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Friday 11 September: min 7°C, max 17°C, chance of morning fog, sunny afternoon, light winds, just 5% rain chance. Near-perfect football conditions.
When does NFL Week 1 finish?
NFL Week 1 wraps up on Tuesday 15 September AEST with Monday Night Football (Ravens @ Lions, 10:15am AEST). The full Sunday slate lands Monday 14 September AEST, with games starting from 3:00am AEST.
What time is NFL RedZone in Australia?
NFL RedZone airs live every Monday morning AEST from approximately 3:00am to 10:00am (roughly 7 hours of whip-around coverage of all Sunday games). Exclusive to Disney+ Australia (~$17.99/month).
How many NFL international games are there in 2026?
Seven — the most in NFL history. Melbourne, Dublin, three London games (Tottenham and Wembley), Berlin, Madrid, and one Mexico City game. Australia gets one game (Melbourne, 11 September); Ireland, Germany and Spain get their first-ever regular-season NFL games.
When is the Super Bowl in Australia?
Super Bowl LXI is live from Los Angeles on Monday 16 February 2027 AEST (Sunday 15 February in the US). Live on Channel 7 (free) and ESPN via Disney+, Kayo, Foxtel, Fetch. ESPN and Disney+ are producing the Super Bowl globally for the first time.
When do the NFL playoffs start in Australia?
Wild Card Weekend begins Sunday 11 January 2027. Every playoff game — Wild Card, Divisional, Conference Championships and Super Bowl LXI — is live on ESPN via Kayo/Disney+/Foxtel/Fetch, with selected marquee games also on Channel 7.
Related guides
- Live US Sports TV Guide — every NFL game live with AEST times and broadcasters
- MCG Game Preview — 1 Day To Go
- How to Watch NFL in Australia 2026 — Complete Broadcaster Guide
- Latest NFL Weekly Wrap
Schedule last updated: Thursday 10 September 2026. All kickoff times AEST. Broadcaster assignments confirmed with Seven Network, ESPN Australia and Netflix. Mac Johannson covers US sports for Australian fans.
