Report: Herald Sun: Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia in Melbourne, Australia October 2026

[chongli]

Reported by the Herald Sun in Australia [paywall only], but not confirmed by the NFL or teams involved, so take it as you will.

 

 

 

https://www.cbssports.com/writers/jeff-kerr/

 

NFL in Australia: Eagles owner will play in first game Down Under, but under one condition

 

"Per the Herald Sun, the Eagles and Los Angeles Rams are the two teams scheduled to play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in October of 2026. The Eagles gave up a home game this season when playing in Brazil, and this would be the case for 2026 based on the report. The Rams are a designated home opponent for the Eagles, so Philadelphia would again be asked to give up a home game"

 

https://www.sportspro.com/news/nfl-melbourne-australia-games-mcg-rams-eagles-regular-season-2026-february-2025/

 

Melbourne ‘set to host’ NFL games at MCG

 

Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams lined up for the league’s first match in Oceania.

 

"The league’s interest in playing in Australia was first confirmed last year. According to the Herald Sun, NFL officials visited the MCG last August to investigate the viability of staging games at the venue. Victoria state premier Jacinta Allen is said to have personally played a key role in negotiations, with a deal to make Victoria the sole Australian state to host NFL matches.

 

The NFL opened an NFL Academy on the Gold Coast last year, and claims there are already 6.6 million American football fans in Australia. The Rams and the Eagles, who have former Australian rugby league player Jordan Mailata on their roster, currently hold global marketing rights for the country."

 

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[But from the same CBS Sports article:]

 

"If the Philadelphia Eagles decide to play in Australia, they won't be making the same deal as the last time they played an international game. The Eagles are reportedly set to play in the league's first regular-season game in Australia, but owner Jeffrey Lurie will not give up a home game this time in order to do so"

 

[...]
 

Lurie won't be giving up a game at Lincoln Financial Field in 2026, the season the Eagles are scheduled to have nine home games. 

 

"We are a natural team to play there," Lurie said. "If there's an opportunity to be an away team there, we will embrace that."

 

Edited 48 minutes ago by chongli

[Dablitzkrieg]

Goodell said he anticipates an international franchise and a superbowl played internationally as well.  😫

[NoSaint]

Australia in October? Thats like 24 hours on a plane for Philly. Each way. It makes no sense. 

Edited 1 hour ago by NoSaint

[GunnerBill]

MCG is an incredible venue.

[ddaryl]

NOT A FAN OF THIS BS.

Regular season games must remain in the USA.. give them all the exhibitions they want but this steals a home game from a team 

Edited 59 minutes ago by ddaryl

[frostbitmic]

If the league is going to carry on with overseas game scheduling they need to keep the 17 game season, and add an extra bye week.

 

By keeping it a 17 game season each team could have 8 home games, 8 road games and a neutral site game where no one gets screwed out of a home game.

 

I'm sure the NFL would have no problem filling a 16 game international schedule and you know they want to.

 

London X3, Germany X2, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Australia, Brazil, Qatar, UAE, Tokyo, Mexico City, Toronto, Vancouver

[78thealltimegreat]

What is needed is for the Eagles and Rams to play an Australian Rules game and not an American one. Watching Jalen Carter trying to kick the ball through the uprights would be worth the price of admission alone. 

[JohnNord]

1 hour ago, NoSaint said:

Australia in October? Thats like 24 hours on a plane for Philly. Each way. It makes no sense. 

100% that travel is hell.