NFL Kickoff Festival Opens in Melbourne Ahead of Historic MCG Game

Three days of football and entertainment

The NFL Kickoff Festival presented by American Express opens at Melbourne Park on Thursday, 10 September 2026, running through Saturday, 12 September. Grounds open at 10:00 a.m. AEST each day, with the festival transforming the tennis precinct into a hub of American football culture ahead of the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground fixture.

Thursday's programme includes the official watch party for the 2026 NFL season opener between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, broadcast live from 10:20 a.m. AEST. Live music, flag football clinics, appearances by NFL legends, and a session hosted by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell are scheduled across the three days.

The MCG game on 11 September

The main event — the first regular-season NFL game played in Australia — takes place on Friday, 11 September, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC West divisional matchup, with kickoff at 10:35 a.m. AEST and gates opening at 7:00 a.m.

The NFL Stadium Campus in Yarra Park opens on game day for fan experiences before entry to the MCG. The timing places the broadcast in the prized Thursday night window in the United States, despite the Friday morning local start in Melbourne.

Tickets and access

Festival grounds passes start from $49 for Thursday and Saturday and $59 for Friday, with children aged 13 and under admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Festival tickets are separate from game tickets, which are managed through NFL OnePass and Ticketmaster.

The event represents the centrepiece of the NFL's multi-year commitment to Australia and New Zealand, with Melbourne selected as the inaugural host city for an international regular-season game in the southern hemisphere.