UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski Is Hosting An Aussie-Style Tailgate In Melbourne And You Can Join

American football is coming to Melbourne this September, and we’re getting a tailgate with a UFC world champ to match.

On Friday 11 September for the NFL's first-ever regular season game in Australia, Airbnb is bringing the all-American pre-game tradition to Seaworks in Williamstown with Experience an Aussie Tailgate with Volk, hosted by UFC fighter, Aussie icon and all-round grill master Alexander Volkanovski.

The free event will give 100 guests their own decked-out tailgate bay, where they can go head-to-head with their mates in cornhole, quarterback throws, tug of war, beer pong and the very Aussie addition of Thong Toss.

Image Credit: Airbnb | Supplied

There’ll be plenty of food involved too of course, with hot dogs, wings, sliders and root beer on the menu, while Volk himself will be on the grill. A DJ, slo-mo throw camera and Tinnie Bar will round out the afternoon before the countdown to kick-off.

“I love good food, good company and a good reason to fire up the grill, so tailgating with Airbnb was always going to be my kind of day,” says Volkanovski. “Bringing that spirit to Melbourne, and hosting a crowd that’s never experienced it like this before, has got me genuinely pumped.” Honestly, us too.

Image Credit: Airbnb | Supplied

The experience is free, but there are only 20 spots available, with each booking covering one guest and up to four mates. Bookings open at 9am AEST on Wednesday 26 August and are set to sell out quickly, so you’ll want to jump on this one, stat. Go on, text the group chat.

According to Airbnb, search interest from American travellers heading to Melbourne for 8-14 September is up more than 250% year-on-year, while domestic search interest has jumped more than 75%, so it looks like plenty of people already have the weekend circled.

Image Credit: Airbnb | Supplied

And if you’re heading to Melbourne for the NFL 2026 Melbourne game at the MCG on Friday 11 September, it’s worth locking in somewhere to stay early. The Los Angeles Rams will be taking on the San Francisco 49ers and it’s set to be a big one; tickets are available here. 

We’ve rounded up some of the best Airbnb stays in Melbourne for a weekend away; because once the crowds arrive, the good ones won’t hang around.

Image Credit: Airbnb | Supplied