The Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly set for a date in the “Land Down Under.”
Melbourne’s Herald Sun reported Saturday that the Rams and Eagles will play in October 2026 at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In a major sporting coup for Victoria, Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles are expected to go head-to-head in a MCG extravaganza. > https://t.co/jsITawMvcS pic.twitter.com/YFbXZIvJAr
— Herald Sun (@theheraldsun) February 1, 2025
It would be the first NFL regular-season game in Australia. The Denver Broncos and the then-San Diego Chargers played a preseason game in Sydney in 1999. The Herald Sun also reported the game will be the first of a three-game series spread over several years at the stadium.
The paper reported the NFL and Victorian state government “have been in secret talks for months” about a possible game. NFL officials had visited the MCG in August to check its suitability for a game.
Nine Melbourne’s Tom Morris had reported in May 2024 that Victorian officials and the NFL were discussing a possible 2025 game at MCG. Apparently, 2026 made more sense. That’s in part due to the fact the Rams are slated for nine home games that year and would be more willing to give up a home game for a Melbourne game. And the Rams and Eagles are scheduled to meet in 2026.
Here’s a look at the front page of the Herald Sun print edition.
This is some huge news!! @Eagles could be heading down under for a regular season game!! 🇦🇺 Unbelievable!! Hey @AnthonyLGargano surely the Cuz will make the trip over for it!! 🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/P7gKmskn8K
— vR🦅🧡 (@vr_29) February 1, 2025
CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported in November that the NFL has made investments in recent years to promote the league in Australia. In 2022, the league selected New Zealand native Charlotte Offord to be GM for its Australian efforts. In September, the NFL opened an NFL Academy on Australia’s Gold Coast to develop student-athletes between the ages of 12 and 18.
It’s also worth noting the Rams and Eagles are the only two teams that are part of the Global Markets Program in Australia. The program awards NFL clubs international marketing rights in certain countries to build brand awareness and fan support beyond the U.S.
