The NFL’s first regular-season game at the MCG is likely to clash with the opening week of next year’s AFL finals series.
NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly said at Thursday morning’s announcement that the league has not settled on when the match will be played in 2026, but it could be in week one of the American season.
Given the NFL starts in the first week of September, that would mean it comes up against the opening round of the AFL’s finals series.
Next year’s game will be the first time the NFL has played a regular-season game in the Asia-Pacific region, after the Denver Broncos and San Diego chargers played a preseason match in Sydney in 1999.
The Los Angeles Rams have been confirmed as the host team and their opposition will reportedly be the Philadelphia Eagles, who have towering Aussie Jordan Mailata on their roster.
It is a multi-year deal as the NFL continues its international expansion.
The NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia is likely to clash with the opening week of next year’s AFL finals series (pictured, fans at the 2024 grand final at the MCG)
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (third from right) is pictured at the announcement at the MCG on Thursday, along with Eddie McGuire (left) and AFL star turned NFL player Saverio Rocca (third from left)
Sydney-raised Super Bowl star Jordan Mailata has revealed his Philadelphia Eagles teammates are interested in taking part in the historic match
‘Expanding to Melbourne, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth,’ NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
‘Together with the Victorian State Government … we look forward to making history in what is an important market for the NFL and a significant next step in expanding our international footprint.’
Victoria Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos lauded the AFL’s involvement in securing the multi-year NFL deal.
‘I have nothing but respect for the AFL’s work with us in order to land the announcement,’ Dimopoulos said.
‘The AFL have been fantastic in these negotiations.’
The NFL announcement was made in New Orleans, host city of the Super Bowl next Monday morning AEST.
Meanwhile, Mailata will become the first Australian to play in a winning Super Bowl team if they beat the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, Australian time.
Philadelphia narrowly lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl two years ago.
Mailata, 27, also confirmed his teammates are interested in taking part in an historic match Down Under – but are worried about how the long trip will affect them.
‘All the guys are already talking, asking how long is the flight,’ the former South Sydney rugby league lower grader told Sunrise.
‘I told them, don’t worry, you will be in business class… then they can experience Australia, one of the greatest countries in the world.’
The 2025 Super Bowl between Philadelphia and Kansas City begins on Monday from 10.30am AEDT on Monday, February 10.
