Netflix will air NFL 2026 season opener, first game ever played in Australia
The NFL is making history in 2026—and Netflix is coming along for the ride. According to reports, Netflix will stream the 2026 NFL season opener between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, marking the first NFL game ever played in Australia. The matchup is set for Thursday, Sept.
10, at 8:35 p. m. ET and will take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
MORE: Dianna Russini reveals who she named her son Michael after, should we believe it? A Historic First for the NFL The game itself is already groundbreaking. Not only is it a Week 1 showdown between division rivals, but it will also be the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game played in Melbourne, Australia.
That makes this more than just an opener. It’s a global event. Netflix Continues Its Sports Expansion Netflix airing the game is another major sign of how rapidly sports broadcasting is changing.
The streaming giant has already dipped into NFL coverage with Christmas Day games over the past two seasons and is scheduled to air another Christmas doubleheader this year. Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Netflix Christmas GameDay cake seen after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Now, it’s taking an even bigger step: Opening night International stage Exclusive global stream That’s significant.