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NFL regular-season debut in Melbourne, Australia

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2026-09-11 15:14 UTC → 2026-09-11 16:03 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The NFL has completed its historic regular-season debut in Australia, featuring a matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams at a sold-out Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The event drew a crowd of over 100,000 spectators and served as a significant milestone in the league’s international expansion strategy into the Asia-Pacific region. In the game, the San Francisco 49ers secured a decisive 27-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy led the offense with three touchdown passes, while the 49ers' defense limited the Rams' scoring opportunities after Los Angeles held an early 7-3 lead. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards and one interception. The outcome was noted alongside the teams’ contrasting preparation strategies: the 49ers arrived a week early to acclimate, while the Rams arrived approximately 28 hours before kickoff to maintain a California-based schedule, a decision that appeared to impact their performance. Logistical operations for the event were extensive. Qantas, the official airline partner for the NFL in Australia and New Zealand, operated two A380 charter flights to transport the teams over approximately 12,900 kilometres. These flights carried more than 20 tonnes of equipment and over 2,000 meals. To accommodate professional athletes, Qantas worked with team nutrition staff to provide specialized high-protein menus and offered a themed onboard experience featuring limited-edition pyjamas and pillow sets in team colors. Commercial and broadcast impacts were notable. Qantas reported a 50 percent year-on-year increase in bookings from the United States to Australia in the two weeks preceding the game. The match was broadcast live on Netflix in the United States, which debuted a new graphics package, though some viewers reported issues regarding “audio and video quality” during the stream. The halftime show featured entertainment by the Jonas Brothers.

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