The NFL Is Coming To Melbourne This Week—Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Living up to our reputation as the sporting capital of Australia, Melbourne is about to host one of the most star-studded sports events these shores have ever seen. The NFL is hosting its first-ever regular-season game in Australia on Friday 11 September, and it's set to be huge. From half time entertainment to pre- and post-game celebrations and game time, here’s everything you need to know.

Jump to:

• What Is The NFL Melbourne Game?
• When And Where Is The NFL Melbourne Game?
• The NFL Halftime Show
• How Do I Get Tickets To The NFL Melbourne Game? 
• The NFL Kick-Off Festival 
• NFL Melbourne Special Events And Offers

What Is The NFL Melbourne Game? 

The San Francisco 49ers are set to take on the Los Angeles Rams at the MCG on Friday 11 September. It’s the first-ever NFL regular season game to be played in Australia, meaning these teams are playing for points, not just bragging rights. While the Rams are being touted as the marginal favourites, jet lag is sure to make things interesting; the 49ers will fly into Melbourne a week early to adjust, while the Rams fly in just a day before the game. 

Kickoff is at 10:35am AEST, so it airs live in primetime in the USA the evening before.

When And Where Is The NFL Melbourne Game? 

While the NFL game itself is at the MCG on Friday 11 September, the surrounding NFL Kickoff Festival runs for a day either side at Melbourne Park. Further NFL Game Week events and activities will be running across the city from Saturday 6 September. 

The NFL Halftime Show 

The Jonas Brothers have officially been announced as the official headliners of the NFL Melbourne halftime show, burnin' up the MCG on 11 September. 

Yes, let it sink in: The Jonas Brothers are headlining a halftime show at our humble MCG. Between touring, making movies (hello, Camp Rock 3), starting a podcast, and releasing their latest album in 2025, the boys have been busy, and we can’t wait to welcome Kevin, Joe, and Nick to Melbourne. 

How Do I Get Tickets To The NFL Melbourne Game? 

There are some remaining tickets available now via Ticketmaster, or through the NFL OnePass app. 

Get in quick to secure your spot: this is a proper once-in-a-lifetime sporting experience, with the Jonas Brothers thrown in to really sweeten the deal.

The NFL Kick-Off Festival

Don't have tickets to the game, or just want to soak up even more NFL action? Head to Melbourne Park from Thursday, 10 September to Saturday, 12 September for the NFL Kick-Off Festival, a three-day celebration of any and all things NFL.

It's set to be a total American-football takeover, with watch parties, football clinics, merch pop-ups, and American food aplenty—it’s well worth a visit for any global sports lover.

A stellar Australian lineup will also perform across the Kickoff Festival. It’s Kita Alexander and Peking Duk on Thursday, Public Figures, Grinspoon, and Hot Dub Time Machine on Friday, and Sneaky Sound System closing things out on Saturday.  

Get all the details and secure your tickets here. 

NFL Melbourne Special Events And Offers 

Baker Bleu Limited-Time Treats

Image: Baker Bleu | Supplied

Baker Bleu has teamed up with Visit Victoria to create a range of limited-edition NFL-themed menu items. The hero is a football-shaped s'mores cookie, loaded with macadamia nuts, house-made raspberry jam, marshmallow and chocolate. 

For those who prefer savoury, mini pizzas will also come in pepperoni and hot honey, and cheese and jalepeno flavours, both served with home made ranch for dipping. 

Cookies are available at all Melbourne stores from 7 to 13 September, while the pizzettas can only be found at the Caulfield and Cremorne stores. 

Transport Bar: "Home Of The Faithful"

Image: Transport Bar | Supplied

Federation Square's Transport Bar is the official home for fans of the 49ers, and the team are celebrating with American and NFL-inspired food and drink specials. Think the 49er Footlong, loaded with bacon-onion jam, American cheese sauce and crispy onions, and the 1.5kg Gold Rush Tomahawk, smothered in garlic butter and served with loaded fries, slaw and charred corn. All that, plus a brisket burger, pepperoni pizza, loaded fries and nachos will be hitting tables all week from Monday 7 September. 

The Waterside Hotel's American Specials And Six-Hour Bookings

CBD mega venue the Waterside is going all-out on from 9am 'til late on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September. Across the ground floor and level one, punters will find American-inspired food specials (hello, Dorito-crusted mozzarella sticks and hot honey glazed BBQ pork ribs), buckets of Budweiser, live music and, of course, NFL on the big screen. 

The team have even opened up six hour booking slots so you don't have to worry about losing your table. 

Rams House: The LA Tailgate Experience

Image: Los Angeles Rams Fan Zone | Supplied

The Crown Riverwalk is transforming into a full blown Los Angeles Rams fan zone from 10 to 12 September, and it's set to be huge. With epic live performances, meet and greets and live game screening, there's no better place to be for LA Rams fans. 

Head down on Thursday to meet Torry Holt, see the team's mariachi band IRL and catch a live show with J.B. Long & Kevin Demoff, with an appearance from Eddie McGuire. 

On Saturday, the game will play live and loud, followed by a debrief with Nick Riewoldt and Kane Cornes and a meet and greet with Isaac Bruce. 

The festivities will wrap on Saturday with more meet and greets, a screening of quaterback Matthew Stafford's documentary Locked In, and a live performance by Tash Sultana. 

Carlton Dry's Pub At The 'G

Carlton Dry is bringing the pub to Yarra Park for punters heading to the game on Friday. A fully functioning pop-up pub, it'll host pre-game entertainment including appearances from former NFL players and on-the-ground pre-game coverage.

The Carlton Dry pub will be on site near gate three at the 'G from 7am to 10am on game day, and we hear it might even pop up again through footy finals season. 

The pub's announcement comes after Carlton Dry's support of local legend Strauchanie in his pursuit of NFL glory in the lead up to the big game. 

Australia's First NFL Shop

From 28 August to 13 September, Australia's first-ever NFL shop will be open at Level 1, 360 Bourke Street. Fans can get kitted out in limited-edition merch, including collabs with the AFL, Blinky Bill, Ena Pelly and more. 

The store will stock products covering all 32 NFL teams, as well as the 2026 NFL Melbourne Game collection to mark the historic event. On game day, the shop will also pop-up at the MCG, so fans can buy official product on the ground. 

New Quarter's NFL Hotdog

Image: New Quarter | Supplied

Richmond's New Quarter is switching lanes and running a one-day-only special on Friday, 11 September. For $15, fans will be able to get their hands on the NFL Hotdog—loaded with caraelised onion, five-spice duck sausage, lime Philly and hot sauce. 

Main image credit: Melbourne Cricket Ground | Facebook