Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Sport Nation
Motorsport
Netball
Basketball
Combat Sports
Olympics
Other Sports
Live sport on SN this weekendMassive MCG crowd witnesses NFL history Down Under
Shayne Hope, AAP • September 11th, 2026 2:35 pm
It's a full house at the MCG, with crowds flocking to see the first NFL game in Australia | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Melbourne has turned it on for the historic NFL regular-season clash between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, with a massive crowd on hand at a sold-out MCG.
About 100,000 fans have packed Australia's largest stadium, which was bathed in brilliant sunshine as die-hard supporters and theatre-goers alike came from all corners to fill the precinct.
It will likely be the second-biggest international crowd in NFL history, and the league's seventh-highest regular-season attendance of all-time.
Fans turned out early with the game starting mid-morning in Melbourne to reach prime time in the US | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
"Walking the streets of Melbourne this week, it feels like Super Bowl week. There are jerseys being represented from every team in the NFL.
"There'll be hundreds of thousands of people that just come to Melbourne this week and not even come to the game.
"But it is a sight to behold and this is only the sign of things to come because they continue to want to grow the game internationally."
While the LA Rams are the designated home team, both sides had plenty of support | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Fans were flooding into the Melbourne sports precinct hours before the unusual 10.35am start time on Friday, which was designed specifically so the game can be broadcast in prime time in the United States.
Loyalties appeared evenly split between on entry, with Rams and 49ers merchandise most visible among a wide variety NFL team jerseys and caps.
But it was evident when the fierce NFC West rivals ran out for their warm-ups about an hour before kickoff that designated 'away' team San Francisco were the favoured side.
The NFL's first regular-season game in Australia is expected to pump $300 million into the Victorian economy.
Brock Purdy's Niners were greeted by a wave of vocal support, while the Matthew Stafford-led Rams attracted a smattering of cheers amid the chorus of boos.
NFL fans are out in force to witness the historic match at the MCG | Video: AAP
