Melbourne is hosting an NFL game. Reports suggest the league is eyeing Australia for a 2025 showdown, and fans have plenty to say, especially about the travel. A flight from the U.S. to Melbourne isn’t exactly a quick hop, and jet lag might just become the MVP.
While the idea of football down under sounds epic, some are already questioning how teams will handle the brutal travel schedule.
NFL Lands in Australia: Eagles vs. Rams Set for Historic MCG Showdown
The NFL is headed down under. The Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles will clash in Melbourne’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2026, marking the league’s first-ever game in Australia. And this isn’t a one-off. Reports suggest the NFL’s planning multiple games, expanding its global footprint.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, a stadium with a 100,000+ capacity, will transform into a football battleground next October. The Eagles, coming off another Super Bowl push (vs. the Kansas City Chiefs), and the Rams, recent 2022 champs, promise a high-octane showdown.
This matchup has extra weight for Aussie fans, thanks to Eagles’ lineman Jordan Mailata, the rugby-turned-NFL star. His presence could fuel local hype and create new NFL diehards.
The league’s expansion strategy has already seen games in London and Germany, and now, Melbourne is next in line. The move underscores the NFL’s commitment to Australia as a growing market, with officials calling it an important step for the sport.
For fans, this means live, prime-time NFL action, with elite franchises bringing star power.
Fans React to NFL’s Australia Move
Fans are sounding off with the NFL’s Australia debut, and the reactions are all over the place.
One fan put it bluntly: “They better both be on a bye the following week. That’s brutal travel to have to come back and play the next week.”
Flying from the United States to Australia means a 15+ hour flight, and jet lag is no joke.
They better both be on a bye the following week. That’s brutal travel to have to come back and play the next week.
— Matthew Meneses (@matthew_meneses) February 1, 2025
Then there’s the broadcast challenge.
“This is wild. Going to be so hard on the fan bases to watch this.”
With a massive time zone gap, U.S. fans could be watching games at odd hours or missing them altogether.
This is wild. Going to be so hard on the fan bases to watch this
— Alex Shafran (@alexshafran) February 2, 2025
Of course, some rival fans took the opportunity to fire some shots.
“If this is true can we just leave the Eagles and their fans there permanently?”
The internet stays undefeated.
Not everyone is sold on the international push either. One fan slammed the move, pointing out that season ticket holders pay thousands, while public taxes often fund 50-70% of NFL stadiums.
Their take: “Stop wasting time with these overseas games.”
Still, some see this as a major opportunity for the sport. One comment summed it up: “Looks like they need a little bit of freedom and football.”
The NFL is betting big on global expansion, and Melbourne is next.
