As the LA Rams future is looking up, the team will be heading Down Under

Have you forgotten about the LA Rams active participation in the NFL Global Marketing Program? initiated in 2022, the program aims to market professional football worldwide. The initiative has grown to include 25 NFL clubs, and involve 19 international markets, as the NFL aims to embrace other countries in NFL excitement.

One of the most active teams in the program is the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams currently boast NFL marketing rights in Australia, China, Mexico and New Zealand -- and have expanded to South Korea and Japan in 2024. The Rams currently share marketing rights in Mexico with nine other NFL teams, in Australia with one other team, in New Zealand with one other team, and exclusive rights in China, South Korea, and Japan.

The Rams have marketing rights for six countries, but due to the unique location of the markets, have not participated in any international stadium games to date. Well, per the Herald Sun, that is all about to change:L

Because the Herald Sun's article is behind a paywall, I'm limited in what I can share here. Thankfully, NBC Sports Mike Florio is covering the story as well, In his recap, he indicates that Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will be the site for three future NFL games, beginning in 2026.

The first two teams to play at MCG are reportedly the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. Per the report, the Herald Sun names the Rams as the home team. But per Florio's recap, the Eagles are sequenced to be the home team in 2026. This will be the first occasion for two NFL teams to compete in Australia.

What should visiting NFL fans expect?

If you are considering traveling to see the first Australia NFL game, you are likely curious as to what you should expect. Here are some fun facts for your perusal:

Weather - Per Australia.com, the local temperature runs from the upper 40s (Fahrenheit) to the upper 60s over the majority of the NFL season. Unlike the Northern Hemisphere, where temperatures drop as the season progresses, the Southern Hemisphere heats up as the season rolls along. October is a particularly wet month, averaging 10 days of rainfall. So pack your rain gear.

Travel - While prices and itineraries are subject to vary based on individual preferences, travel one way from Los Angeles, California to Melbourne, Australia, starts at just over 16 hours one way on direct flights. You should plan to add two to three hours of travel time per stops along the way.

Lodging - There are ample hotels and other lodgings in Melbourne to accommodate your preferences and price range. Keep in mind that due to the popularity of NFL international games, you can expect to pay a premium to stay in relative proximity to the stadium.

Time difference - The most dramatic difference for visitors will be the awkward time difference. Melbourne's time zone runs 19 hours ahead of Los Angeles. So noon on Sunday in Los Angeles is the equivalent of 7:00 am on Monday in Melbourne. That creates a significant challenge in terms of finding the proper way to schedule games in Australia to mitigate adverse impacts on participating NFL teams.

Driving - If you plan to rent a car and drive around in Melbourne, you need to know that much like England, they drive on the left side of the road. Speeds are measured in kilometers per hour, so speeds that are posted at 100 means 100 km/hour. That equates to 62 miles per hour. You can drive for up to three months on your state's driver's license as long as it is in English. But be very careful. Everything is backward when driving on the left side of the road.

It's safer to plan to use public transportation (taxi cabs). Thankfully, many travel sites consider Melbourne public transportation of excellent quality

It's not happening anytime soon. After all, this game will be played in 2026, and we hae not even begun the 2025 NFL season yet. But it's out there on the horizon. And if you have ever wanted to visit the land Down Under, why not plan to catch a Rams game at the same time?

As always, thanks for reading.

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