Netflix will air the San Francisco 49ers against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, during Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, marking the league’s first regular-season game ever played on Australian soil.
A person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press that the streaming service secured the rights. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the full schedule has not yet been released.
The game is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, with a prime-time U.S. kickoff at 7:35 p.m. CT (8:35 p.m. ET). Due to the 15-hour time difference, it will begin at 10:35 a.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 11, in Melbourne.
The Rams, led by reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, will serve as the home team against NFC West rival Brock Purdy and the 49ers. The teams split their 2025 season series.
League officials are considering making that Wednesday game an immediate Super Bowl rematch, potentially against the New England Patriots. A Wednesday season opener would be only the second in NFL history; the first occurred in 2012 when the New York Giants hosted the Dallas Cowboys to avoid a conflict with the Democratic National Convention.
The NFL is expected to release the complete 2026 schedule next week, in time for network upfront presentations to advertisers beginning Monday.
Netflix, which has streamed Christmas Day games in recent seasons, is taking on a significantly larger presence in 2026. The platform is expected to broadcast additional major matchups, including the night before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and two games on Christmas Day. NBC is expected to produce the Australia broadcast.