Rams and 49ers open the 2026 NFL season in Melbourne

The Los Angeles Rams host the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today in the NFL's first game held in Australia. This Thursday Night Football matchup serves as the league's season opener with kickoff scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET. The Rams enter the contest following an active offseason that included the acquisition of Myles Garrett and the return of Aaron Donald. The 49ers face a challenging start to their campaign while managing several injuries, including the return of George Kittle from an Achilles tear. Both teams arrived in Australia with vastly different preparation strategies, as the 49ers traveled nearly a week early while the Rams opted for a shorter stay. The game will be available to viewers via streaming on Netflix.

• 11:49 AMCBS NFL — Rams vs. 49ers: NFC West rivals go head to head in historic season opener in Australia