49ers, Rams to play regular-season game at Melbourne Cricket Ground

The San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams prepare to play a regular-season game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, 10 September 2026, according to reporting from Fox Sports. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET, marking a historic international regular-season first for the National Football League.

The historic fixture shifts a classic NFC West rivalry across the Pacific Ocean. According to Broncos Wire, the game will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix throughout the United States, while local market viewers can tune in via KNTV in San Francisco and KNBC in Los Angeles. Fans can also access the stream via mobile devices on NFL+.

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Both clubs arrive in Australia following tumultuous finishes to their previous campaigns. Fox Sports notes that the same team ended both squads' 2025 seasons, as Seattle routed the 49ers in the divisional round before defeating the Rams in the NFC Championship Game one win short of Super Bowl LX. Los Angeles enters the 2026 fixture carrying high expectations, listed as the outright favorite to win Super Bowl LXI.

Personnel availability has provided late-week clarity for both coaching staffs ahead of kickoff. Fox Sports reports that Los Angeles wide receiver Puka Nacua was omitted from the team's injury report after addressing a core issue, indicating he is on track to reclaim his usual responsibilities. In a game where both teams enter with no 2026 production on the board yet, Nacua stands out as a proven focal point whose health shapes the opening offensive strategy for the Rams.

Similarly, San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to resume a full workload after tracking through training camp without an injury designation. According to reporting, McCaffrey's return to 100 percent gives the 49ers their most dependable all-purpose threat and a steady way to test the Rams from the opening series. Meanwhile, 49ers tight end George Kittle was listed as a limited participant due to an Achilles issue following his return from the active/PUP list, leaving his final game-day readiness subject to ongoing monitoring.

Additional roster depth comes into focus across the broader matchday setup. Fox Sports highlights that Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson was not listed on the injury report after dealing with soreness, leaving his exact rotation usage open as Los Angeles enters the week with all five tight ends healthy. Meanwhile, Rams Wire notes that the winner of Thursday's clash will match the Seattle Seahawks at 1-0 after Seattle defeated the New England Patriots, creating an early tie for first place in the division standings.

Following Thursday's kickoff in Melbourne, both clubs will look toward subsequent fixtures on the NFL calendar.