The 49ers are going global - and this time, they’re heading way south.
In a landmark move for the franchise, the San Francisco 49ers are set to play their first-ever game in the southern hemisphere as part of the NFL’s continued push into international markets. The opponent?
None other than their longtime NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams. The venue?
The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.
Yes, you read that right - the Niners and Rams are taking their rivalry Down Under in 2026.
49ers vs. Rams in Australia: What We Know
While 49ers owner Jed York had recently teased the idea of another international game - possibly a return to Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca - it turns out that may only be part of the story. The bigger headline is this groundbreaking matchup in Melbourne, marking a new frontier not just for the 49ers, but for the NFL as a whole.
The Rams, who hold international marketing rights in both Australia and New Zealand (along with the Seahawks, Raiders, and Eagles), had long been expected to be part of the NFL’s expansion efforts in Oceania. But the missing puzzle pieces were always the opponent and the location. Now we have both: the Rams will “host” the 49ers at the MCG - one of the most storied sporting venues in the world, and a stadium that routinely draws six-figure crowds.
What This Means for the 49ers
For San Francisco, this is a win on multiple levels. First, the team gets to participate in a high-profile international showcase without giving up a home game at Levi’s Stadium. That’s a big deal - home games are precious, especially for a team that consistently draws strong crowds and has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
Second, while the Niners will technically be the “road” team, the travel burden is just about even. Both squads will be making the long haul from the West Coast to Australia, so there’s no real competitive disadvantage in terms of logistics.
And let’s be honest - this is a marketing goldmine. The 49ers are one of the NFL’s most historic franchises, and pairing them with a rival like the Rams in a global spotlight only helps build the brand internationally. Australia has become an increasingly important market for the NFL, and the league is clearly betting big on its growth potential.
Timing Still TBD, But Week 1 Makes Sense
While the NFL hasn’t announced an official date for the game, all signs point to an early-season kickoff - potentially even Week 1. That would allow both teams to make the journey, recover, and recalibrate without disrupting the heart of the regular season. It also gives the league a marquee international opener to showcase its global ambitions right out of the gate.
The full 2026 regular-season schedule is expected to drop this May, and that’s when we’ll get clarity on the timing. But make no mistake: this is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the year, both for what it means on the field and what it represents off of it.
A Rivalry Goes Global
The 49ers-Rams rivalry has been one of the NFL’s most compelling in recent years, with playoff implications, coaching chess matches, and star power on both sidelines. Now, it’s going international in a way we’ve never seen before.
From Levi’s to the MCG, the Niners are taking their show on the road - and the world will be watching.