The NFL’s aggressive push into global markets and streaming platforms is reaching another milestone. Netflix will exclusively air the league’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia when the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 of the 2026 season.
The matchup is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the largest stadium in Australia, with kickoff set for 8:35 p.m. ET. NBC is expected to produce the broadcast, while Netflix continues expanding its growing live sports portfolio.
The game represents another major step in the NFL’s evolving media strategy, as the league increasingly embraces streaming giants alongside traditional television partners. Netflix already holds rights to NFL Christmas Day games and is set to continue broadcasting holiday matchups later this year. The platform has also expanded into other major sports properties, including MLB opening games, boxing, MMA, and upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cups.
For the NFL, the Australia game is part of a broader international expansion plan that now includes nine global regular-season games in 2026. The league will also stage games in cities such as Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Munich and London.
The move also underlines how quickly fan viewing habits are changing. Beyond Netflix, the NFL is reportedly exploring additional partnerships with platforms like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video as streaming becomes an increasingly central part of sports broadcasting.
Still, the shift continues to spark debate among fans over accessibility. While the NFL says most of its games remain available through traditional broadcast television, the Australia opener will require a Netflix subscription outside local team markets, where the game will still air on free over-the-air television.
With 2025 NFL MVP Matthew Stafford expected to lead the Rams into Melbourne, the league appears determined to turn its international showcases into premium global media events — and streaming platforms are becoming the centerpiece of that vision.