It happens.
In October 2026, the NFL brings a regular game of the season on the Cricket Ground in Melbourne, with the La Rams being confirmed as a home team.
No pre-season game, no exhibition, not the Pro Bowl, but one of the estimated 17 regular season excursions that every team knows, a season of fame can separate from a low season from regret and incessant head scratches.
There are obviously larger markets around the world, with larger population groups, less problematic time zones and richer economies. So what does it say about the Australian market, the fans, the growing talent and our aspiring love for American football, which NFL described in Australia as the next host of the season?
It means it is seen.
There will be many items of thought about the finances of this decision – how many income the Victorian government will generate, the operating costs for teams and of course how we manic doors and maintain the sacred lawn on the MCG manic does.
But for the fans, the early uprisings for 3 a.m., Mondays, the observers on the second screen at work, the chat enthusiasts of the NFL group and the increasing number of tragicians from Jersey-Rockics, this historical decision, the American game So far as an advertising lust can fly is a celebration.
The NFL in Australia went from niche to niche, “how many of your friends do you know who is not in a Fantasy Football League?” in the last decade.
From a massive day in Melbourne, this game also reflects the growing presence of the region in the NFL landscape. A much-known continent, which is known for his punding exports for a long time, now has three offensive lineman, two defensive lineman and two narrow ends that are still signed at NFL teams, with many other floods in the high school – and flood college series. The gold coast now only houses the second NFL academy outside the United States.
And here is the long -term effects. If you look at the spectacle, the explosive athletics and all the Pagantry on their home coasts, the image of the playing American football can only sharpen for emerging athletes. More and more young Australian fans are finding the NFL, and the path of Jordan Mailata, Daniel Faalele, Adam Gotsis, Laekin Vakalahi, Patrick Murtagh and Jotham Russell is no longer a fairy tale.
It is real and open.
At the same time when more scouting eyes from college programs and NFL teams look into the Asian-Pacific area for the next diamond on the beach or in the Australian suburbs, a shot on the American game.
Pouring petrol to this embers is a Bonafide NFL collision in our back yard, the spirals floating in real life, not only in high coverage and that come from the field, not by their speakers. No alarm needs.