Mahomes at the MCG? Potential Aussie NFL game sides revealed, and there are some blockbusters

The first NFL regular season game played in Australia has the potential to be a blockbuster, with the Los Angeles Rams’ 2026 opponents now locked in.

The Rams will be the home team for a game played at the MCG, likely on Thursday September 10 or Friday September 11, which will be Week 1 of the NFL season.

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The game will fall during AFL semi-final week, which could cause problems especially if multiple Victorian teams are scheduled to host games in that round.

NFL schedules are determined based on a fixed rotation, with teams lined up to play other divisions every four years along with conference rivals who finished in the same position the previous season.

That means the Rams’ home opponents – their potential MCG opponents – are now known.

As well as divisional opponents Arizona, San Francisco and Seattle, the Rams will host:

– the NFC East’s Dallas and New York Giants;

– the AFC West’s Kansas City and LA Chargers;

– the NFC North’s Green Bay Packers, and;

– the AFC East’s Buffalo Bills.

It’s a blockbuster line-up of potential opponents including five fellow playoff teams (San Francisco, Seattle, LA Chargers, Green Bay and Buffalo).

Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs are also a candidate, with the superstar QB eyeing a Week 1 return from an ACL injury, while the Cowboys are one of the most popular teams in the sport despite being decades away from their last moment of glory.

It’s unlikely the Giants or Bills would be sent to Melbourne given they’d have to travel from the other side of the country.

It’s also uncommon for divisional games to be played internationally but not unheard of – the Chargers faced the Chiefs in Brazil in Week 1 this past season.

The Seahawks have also publicly stated they would “love to” be part of the game, making them the favourites.

The Philadelphia Eagles had been linked to the game because they also hold marketing rights to Australia like the Rams, but they are instead hosting the Rams next season.

The NFL schedule is likely to be released in mid-May and the international games are typically confirmed just before the full release.