As the dust settles on the 2025 NFL season, the league is already setting the stage for what could be a historic kickoff to 2026 - and it’s starting halfway around the world.
The NFL is reportedly planning to open next season with a marquee NFC West clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams - not in California, but in Melbourne, Australia. That’s right, Week 1 of the 2026 campaign is heading Down Under, and the scheduling logistics are starting to take shape.
According to recent reports, the 49ers-Rams matchup is expected to be played on either Wednesday, September 9, or Thursday, September 10 (U.S. time). The NFL is still finalizing the exact date, but either way, this international opener is shaping up to be one of the most unique season debuts in league history.
There are a couple of scenarios in play. One possibility has the 49ers and Rams squaring off on Wednesday, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting their home opener on Thursday.
The league could also flip that schedule, giving the Seahawks the Wednesday slot and pushing the Australia game to Thursday. What we do know: NBC will broadcast the Seahawks game, while the 49ers-Rams matchup will stream on a yet-to-be-announced platform.
Now, from a football operations standpoint, there’s a strong case to be made for playing the Australia game on Sunday, September 6. That would give both the 49ers and Rams maximum recovery time after the long-haul flight and significant time zone shift - a factor that can’t be overstated when it comes to player readiness and performance heading into Week 2. But as it stands, all signs point to a midweek kickoff, potentially making 49ers-Rams the very first game of the 2026 NFL season.
The league has been steadily expanding its international footprint, but this is a bold step. Not only is it the first regular-season game in Australia, it’s also a statement about the NFL’s global ambitions - and they’re not easing into it. They’re sending two heavyweight franchises with star power, fan bases, and playoff aspirations halfway across the world to kick things off.
While the final schedule details are still being ironed out, one thing’s clear: The NFL isn’t just thinking outside the box - it’s thinking outside the hemisphere. And come early September, all eyes will be on Melbourne as the Rams and 49ers bring prime-time football to a brand-new audience.