The MCG will reportedly host multiple NFL regular season games starting in 2026, in a colossal coup for both fans of the sport down under and Victorian tourism.
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According to the Herald Sun, the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles — the two franchises with Australian marketing rights — are set to face off in October next year.
It is one of ‘up to three’ NFL regular season meetings that Melbourne will open its doors to across ‘several’ years, per the report, with the high-profile events to net Victoria ‘tens of millions of dollars’.
The Rams won the Super Bowl in 2022, while Philadelphia — with star Australian offensive tackle Jordan Mailata in tow — is preparing to go toe-to-toe with back-to-back winners Kansas City in two Mondays’ time.
The NFC foes met in this year’s playoffs, with the Eagles triumphing 28-22 in the divisional round.
In another win for Victoria, the state is said to be the sole host of the matches, ruling out any possibility of games at Sydney’s Accor Stadium or Perth’s Optus Stadium.
It is understood league officials previously visited the 100,000-capacity MCG to examine whether it was a ‘suitable venue’ for games to take place.
“Anything like this is so incredibly important for continuing to grow our industry but also continuing to put Victoria on the global stage,” Victorian Tourism Industry Council chief Felicia Mariani said, via the Herald Sun.
“If these matches are in fact part of a regular season and not just friendly exhibition matches, it makes an enormous difference to the audience in the US that will watch.
“There is no sport in the world that has the attraction and the audience as NFL does in the US.”
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