The National Football League has taken another major step in its global expansion plans, confirming two marquee matchups as part of a record-setting slate of international games in 2026 that will span four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums.

Headlining the announcement is the league’s first-ever regular season game in Australia, where the San Francisco 49ers have been named to face their NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, at Melbourne’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The historic contest will be staged in partnership with the Victorian State Government and Visit Victoria, marking a landmark moment for the NFL’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

NFL Australia & New Zealand General Manager Charlotte Offord said the rivalry matchup was a fitting way to introduce regular season football to Australia, noting the strong following the 49ers enjoy in the local market and saying the game would deliver ‘an incredible NFL experience’ for fans in the region.

New 49ers CEO Al Guido echoed that sentiment, describing the game as an opportunity to support the league’s mission to grow the sport globally while also benefiting local Australian communities through sport. Rams president Kevin Demoff, meanwhile, highlighted the franchise’s growing connection to Australia since securing international marketing rights in 2021, adding that excitement around the team has surged since the Melbourne game was first announced.

“As we make history with the NFL and bring the first regular season game to Australia, we are pleased to take our annual match-up against our NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers to the MCG,” Demoff said. “Since we first secured marketing rights to the country in 2021 — and more recently since the announcement of this game last year — we have seen tremendous excitement for our team from fans both in Australia and also across the world. We look forward to spending this offseason continuing to deepen our connection with the Melbourne community leading up to the game this fall.”

The Rams are one of several clubs — alongside the Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles — with international marketing rights in Australia and New Zealand under the NFL’s Global Markets Programme. The league estimates more than 7.5 million NFL fans across Australia and continues to invest in the region through initiatives such as NFL Flag, the NFL Academy APAC and its Australia and New Zealand office on the Gold Coast.

On the other side of the globe, the NFL also confirmed that the Dallas Cowboys will participate in the 2026 NFL Rio game at Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Maracanã Stadium. The Cowboys’ opponent, along with the game date, kickoff time and ticket information, will be announced at a later date.

“We are proud to welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Brazil for the first ever NFL game in Rio de Janeiro,” said NFL Brazil general manager Luis Martinez. “Introducing one of the league’s most iconic teams to the Maracanã Stadium marks a powerful milestone in the continued growth of the sport worldwide. Bringing a regular-season game to Rio strengthens our connection to a vibrant and passionate football community and underscores our long-term commitment to the market.”

Brazil is home to more than 36 million NFL fans and is considered one of the league’s most important international markets. The Rio game forms part of a multi-year commitment by the NFL to stage at least three regular season games in the city over the next five years, having already established a footprint in Brazil via games in São Paulo in 2024 (Packers vs. Eagles) and 2025 (Chiefs vs. Chargers).

Further details on both the Melbourne and Rio games will be released in due course, along with news from the other International Series fixtures.