NFL going Down Under with Rams as home team at Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2026

Roger Goodell and the NFL will host a game in Australia in 2026 with the Los Angeles Rams being one of the teams playing.

NFL going Down Under with Rams as home team at Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2026

Sean McVay's Los Rams will be the home team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in NFL Australia games in 2026 (Image via X)

Super Bowl LIX is around the corner and commissioner Roger Goodell is at New Orleans meeting with stakeholders and overseeing preparations. At the same time, he is also closing a lot of meetings, one of which was to determine future NFL international games.

Games have been played in London for some time where positive fan reaction has seen the league look at an international expansion. Then came Brazil where Super Bowl LIX participants, the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Green Bay Packers.

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The NFL has been rumored to even look at holding a Super Bowl at an international venue, but that news has not been received well. However, the league is still looking at potential destinations and now as the Commissioner has completed one deal, he revealed this at a media session.

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Together with the Victorian State Government, Visit Victoria and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and with the Los Angeles Rams in 2026, we look forward to making history in what is an important market for the NFL and a significant next step in expanding our international footprint. We’re thrilled the NFL will be touching down in the sporting capital of Australia.

Roger Goodell said

This means, in 2026, the Los Angeles Rams will fly out to Melbourne, Australia to play an NFL game. They will be the designated home team meaning the famed Melbourne Cricket Ground will be their home arena. The stadium has a seating capacity of 95,000 and a further 5,000 in standing room.

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With Rugby being one of their favorite sports, fans in Australia could take a liking to the NFL. The success of former Rugby star Jordan Mailata has been a story, which the league could showcase down in Australia.

Rams may not have Cooper Kupp on their Australia trip

The trip the Los Angeles Rams will make in 2026 will see head coach Sean McVay take his team to show off why they are always considered Super Bowl favorites. However, WR Cooper Kupp might not take the trip after the Rams placed him on the trade block. Insider Ian Rapoport revealed what adjustments they have to make his contract lucrative to prospective teams.

WR Cooper Kupp will not be a part of the Los Angeles Rams in the future
WR Cooper Kupp will not be a part of the Los Angeles Rams in the future (Image via Imago)

In the past, the Rams have been willing to eat money with an early payment of a roster bonus. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the same for Cooper Kupp, who is far more attractive a trade target due $12.5M rather than $20M.

Ian Rapoport wrote

This meant, they could eat up $7.5 million from of his salary, making it lucrative for trade partners. No one wants to take on a soon to be 32-year-old with a $20 million contract on their roster. It makes it worse when he has an injury history.

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Along with that, his production has been on the decline. He has just averaged over 700 yards over the past two seasons. A player with that sort of production makes more sense at $12.5 million than at $20 million.