Quick Answer: The NFL’s 2026 regular season opens Thursday, September 10, with the Los Angeles Rams facing the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, kicking off at 5:35 p.m. PT and streaming on Netflix. It is the NFL’s first regular-season game ever played in Australia.
What Happened?
The NFC West rivals open the 2026 NFL season on foreign soil for the first time, with the Rams serving as the home team despite the game being played roughly 12,000 miles from Los Angeles. The matchup is the first of two meetings between the two teams this season, with a rematch scheduled for Week 14.
Why Is This Trending?
NFL searches have spiked to over two million as fans look for streaming details, rosters and betting lines for the league’s marquee season-opening game, made extra notable by its unprecedented Australian venue.
Key Details
- Kickoff: Thursday, September 10, 2026, 5:35 p.m. PT / 8:35 p.m. ET.
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia.
- Broadcast: Netflix.
- The 49ers added wide receiver Mike Evans in the offseason after 12 seasons with the Buccaneers.
- Rams are favored, with betting markets showing them at roughly -185 on the moneyline ahead of kickoff.
What This Means for Fans
The Australian opener signals the NFL’s continued push to grow its international footprint, following prior regular-season games in London, Mexico City, Munich and Sao Paulo. For West Coast fans, the late local kickoff and early-morning Australian start time make for an unusual viewing schedule.
What We Know So Far
Confirmed: date, time, venue and broadcast details, along with each team’s notable offseason additions. Not yet known at publication: the final score, since the game has not yet been played as of this writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Rams-49ers game start?
Kickoff is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. PT (8:35 p.m. ET) on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Where is the game being played?
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, the NFL’s first regular-season game in the country.
How can I watch?
The game is streaming on Netflix.
Which team is favored?
Betting markets had the Rams favored ahead of kickoff, though lines can shift up to game time.
Key Takeaways
- The NFL’s 2026 season opens with Rams vs. 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.
- It’s the league’s first regular-season game ever played in Australia.
- Kickoff is 5:35 p.m. PT on Netflix.
- The two teams meet again in Week 14 back in the U.S.
- The 49ers added receiver Mike Evans in the offseason.
