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The NFL makes its regular-season debut in a faraway land, and picks one of its best possible matchups to mark the occasion.
Super Bowl hopefuls and longtime rivals start their 2026 campaigns together from Melbourne — where McCaffrey glows and Garrett plunders — in the NFL’s first-ever game in Australia. The San Francisco 49ers look to build on their inspired 12-win 2025 season, while the Los Angeles Rams try to make good on their all-in offseason.
In an effort to properly adjust and stave off jet lag, Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers left for Australia more than a week before kickoff. On the other hand, Sean McVay’s Rams arrived in Melbourne about one day before the game.
It’s a blockbuster pairing on all fronts. Here’s what to know about the Netflix national exclusive and over-the-air options for in-market fans.
How to watch 49ers vs. Rams in the Australia game
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground — Melbourne, Australia
- Time: 8:35 p.m. ET and 5:35 p.m. PT, Thursday
- TV: Netflix (national); NBC Bay Area (SF) and NBC Los Angeles (L.A.)
- Streaming (in-market viewers): Fubo (Stream Free Now)
In Melbourne, kickoff is at 10:35 a.m. local time (AEST) on Friday, Sept. 11.
The Netflix broadcast details
Noah Eagle, son of fellow broadcaster Ian, has been tapped for the play-by-play call. He is supported by new TV analyst Luke Kuechly, who recently became the second-youngest Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Tom Pelissero and MJ Acosta-Ruiz are the sideline reporters.
Elle Duncan anchors the studio show from pregame to postgame. She’s joined by boisterous Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles and perennial Pro Bowler Clay Matthews III.
There’s a live performance from the Jonas Brothers, who are set to sing at halftime — rather than the middle of the game itself, which they did during last year’s World Series.
This is the first of five NFL games on Netflix this season. The streamer also has an inaugural Thanksgiving Eve spot, two Christmas specials and a Week 18 flex matchup. Netflix gets the rights to the NFL Honors award presentation during Super Bowl week, too. The full slate looks like this:
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10 | 8:35 p.m. ET
- Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, Nov. 25 | 8 p.m. ET
- Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears on Friday, Dec. 25 | 1 p.m. ET
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos on Friday, Dec. 25 | 4:30 p.m. ET
- TBD on Saturday, Jan. 9 | 1 p.m. ET
While most of the viewership needs a Netflix login to watch Thursday’s game, those in the participating teams’ media markets have an over-the-air simulcast. It’s on NBC Bay Area (KNTV, channel 11) and NBC Los Angeles (KNBC, channel 4).
The vibe in Melbourne before the NFL’s first game there
Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows
What to know about the 49ers
San Francisco has reached double-digit wins in five of the last seven years. But last season’s 12-5 finish was exceptional, given a cruel stretch of injuries that warped its depth. Unfortunately, the injury misfortune has already started this year. Defensive tackle Alfred Collins tore his patellar tendon at Tuesday’s practice and is now out for the season.
The 49ers’ ground game is again paced by three-down back Christian McCaffrey and left tackle Trent Williams, who has made four All-Pro teams since he joined the franchise in 2020.
Quarterback Brock Purdy gains a much-needed possession target in the decorated Mike Evans, a 12-year veteran with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who is seeking a second wind on the West Coast. He also reunites with the shifty Deebo Samuel, who is back in San Francisco after his one-year stop with the Washington Commanders. Stalwart tight end George Kittle “looks good” for Thursday despite tearing his Achilles tendon during January’s playoff run.
The defense gets a fresh start with the return of its two biggest names. Nick Bosa, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, is ready to fly off the edge following his recovery from an ACL tear. Linebacker Fred Warner, a four-time first-team All-Pro, has found renewed purpose in coming back from an ankle injury.
No, Daejon Love won’t be suiting up — he’s an alleged scammer, not a Niner. But vibes are starting off high in San Francisco, and they’ll raise even further with a Week 1 statement.
What to know about the Rams
Los Angeles came up just short in last season’s NFC Championship Game. It now takes on the new season as the sizable Super Bowl favorite.
Cannon-armed Matthew Stafford captained last year’s No. 1 scoring offense on his way to his first NFL MVP award. Puka Nacua led the league in catches and receiving yards per game, while Davante Adams ranked first in receiving touchdowns despite missing three contests. They’re all in place for another go-around. McVay has two powerful rushers in Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, plus a rotating group of tight ends for his beloved 13 personnel sets.
The 2025 defense held its own at No. 10 in points allowed, with a 12-sack season from Byron Young and another seven from Kobie Turner. The 2026 unit looks to be even better with three supernova additions.
First came a trade for Trent McDuffie, the two-time All-Pro cornerback and Super Bowl champ from the Kansas City Chiefs. Then came the blockbuster deal for reigning DPOY and single-season sack king Myles Garrett. As if that weren’t enough, future first-ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Donald decided to come out of retirement and reinforce the Rams’ front line.
Donald won’t be on the field for the opener, but L.A. has plenty of talent to hold things down until he’s ready.
Niners vs. Rams history
San Francisco holds a 78-71-3 edge in the all-time regular-season series, but Los Angeles has won four of the past five meetings. The two teams are tied 1-1 in the postseason.
Shanahan and McVay, coworkers turned competitors, are facing off as head coaches for the 20th time overall. Shanahan takes an 11-8 lead into Melbourne, though McVay won their only playoff duel — a 13-point fourth-quarter rally in the 2021 NFC Championship Game.
They split their home-and-home series last season. The 49ers stole a Week 5 “Thursday Night Football” game in Inglewood, thanks to Eddy Piñeiro’s overtime field goal and the defense’s heroic stop on fourth-and-1. But the Rams returned with a road spoiler of their own in Week 10, when Stafford threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns at Levi’s Stadium.
Niners vs. Rams updated odds
Most of The Athletic’s experts are picking the Rams this week, but it’s not unanimous decision.
Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process, and do not review stories before publication.
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