49ers vs. Rams: How to Watch the NFL Melbourne Game Live on Netflix (Sept 10, 2026)
The NFL is going global in a way it never has before, and the 49ers vs. Rams NFL Melbourne Game is the historic kickoff. On Thursday, September 10, 2026, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Australia — and the only place to watch it live is Netflix. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the NFL Melbourne Game, including start time, broadcast team, halftime show, and the full NFL on Netflix schedule for the 2026-27 season.
What Is the NFL Melbourne Game?
The NFL Melbourne Game is a Week 1 showdown between NFC West divisional rivals, played live from the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. It marks the first time the NFL has ever played a regular season game Down Under, and it’s the opening act of a landmark broadcast deal that puts the NFL on Netflix from Week 1 of 2026 through Super Bowl weekend in 2027.
In our experience covering the streaming landscape, this is the biggest live-sports moment Netflix has staged since its first NFL Christmas Day games — and it’s the first of five regular season games Netflix will air this season. For football fans, it’s a must-watch; for streaming fans, it’s a preview of where live sports broadcasting is heading.
49ers vs. Rams: Start Time and Date
- Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
- Kickoff: 8:35 PM ET / 5:35 PM PT
- Pregame coverage: Begins at 6:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM PT
- Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne, Australia
- Local Australian time: Friday, September 11 at 10:35 AM AEST
Because the game is played in Australia, the kickoff lands on Friday morning local time in Melbourne — a prime-time Thursday night window for US viewers. Set a reminder on Netflix so you don’t miss the historic kickoff.
How to Watch the NFL Melbourne Game on Netflix
Watching the game is simple: you just need an active Netflix subscription. The NFL Melbourne Game is included in all Netflix plans — there is no separate pay-per-view fee or add-on required. Once you’re signed in on any supported device, open Netflix and select the NFL Melbourne Game stream to start watching.
Netflix supports streaming on smart TVs, streaming sticks, game consoles, phones, tablets, and web browsers. For the best experience, we recommend a stable connection with at least 5 Mbps for HD streaming — live sports benefit from a wired connection or strong Wi-Fi to avoid buffering during the broadcast. If you’re watching on the go, the Netflix mobile app lets you start the stream on your phone and continue on your TV, so you can catch the pregame show wherever you are.
Key Players to Watch
The 49ers are led by a star-studded offense, including All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, and wide receiver Mike Evans, with Nick Bosa and Fred Warner anchoring the defense.
The Rams enter the 2026 season as a Super Bowl favorite, featuring a roster stacked with future Hall of Fame talent: 2025 NFL MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback, recently unretired legend Aaron Donald at defensive tackle, reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett at defensive end, Pro Bowler Puka Nacua at wide receiver, and two-time Super Bowl winner Trent McDuffie at defensive back.
Halftime Show and Broadcast Team
The Jonas Brothers will headline the halftime show during the NFL Melbourne Game — the first halftime performance of the NFL on Netflix era.
Netflix is bringing a stacked broadcast team to Melbourne. Sports host Elle Duncan leads the pregame, halftime, and postgame studio coverage alongside a trio of Super Bowl winners: Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin, former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Nick Foles, and six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews III. In-game coverage features Sports Emmy winner Noah Eagle on play-by-play, with 2026 Hall of Fame inductee Luke Kuechly making his debut as booth analyst. Tom Pelissero and MJ Acosta-Ruiz handle sideline reporting, with former NFL official Terry McAulay as rules analyst.
The Full NFL on Netflix 2026-27 Schedule
The Melbourne Game is just the start. Netflix’s 2026-27 NFL slate includes:
- Thanksgiving Eve (Nov 25): Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams, SoFi Stadium
- Christmas Day (Dec 25): Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, Soldier Field; Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos, Empower Field at Mile High
- Week 18: A regular season finale with playoff implications
- NFL Honors: The league’s annual awards presentation, streamed globally during Super Bowl week
Netflix is also expanding its NFL content library with the return of the Quarterback documentary series, featuring Jayden Daniels, Baker Mayfield, Cam Ward, and Joe Flacco, plus the Dallas Cowboys docuseries America’s Sweethearts and America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys, and the Emmy-nominated Elway.
49ers vs. Rams: A Rivalry Goes Global
This isn’t just any Week 1 game — it’s one of the NFL’s most heated divisional rivalries. The 49ers and Rams have met 150+ times since 1950, and their recent history is packed with drama: the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI win over the Bengals came after knocking the 49ers out of the NFC Championship Game, while San Francisco has owned the regular-season series in recent years. Playing that rivalry on the other side of the world, in front of a new Australian audience, adds a fresh chapter to a storied history. Expect a physical, emotional game — divisional matchups always are, and this one has the added weight of being the NFL’s first game Down Under.
Why This Game Matters for Streaming
This is the first time a major US sports league has played a regular season game in Australia, and it’s a statement about Netflix’s live-sports ambitions. The NFL on Netflix deal runs through Super Bowl weekend 2027, and the Melbourne Game is the proof-of-concept for international broadcasts. For viewers, it means more marquee live sports on a platform they already pay for — no cable subscription, no extra sports package, no pay-per-view fee.
One limitation worth noting: the game is exclusive to Netflix, so it won’t be available on NFL+, traditional broadcast TV, or other streaming services. If you want to watch live, Netflix is the only option.
FAQ: NFL Melbourne Game on Netflix
What time is the 49ers vs. Rams game on Netflix?
Kickoff is Thursday, September 10 at 8:35 PM ET / 5:35 PM PT, with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 PM ET. In Australia, that’s Friday, September 11 at 10:35 AM AEST.
Do I need to pay extra to watch the NFL Melbourne Game on Netflix?
No. The game is included in all Netflix plans — there is no separate pay-per-view or add-on fee. You just need an active subscription.
Can I watch the NFL Melbourne Game on NFL+ or cable?
No. The game is exclusive to Netflix. It won’t be available on NFL+, broadcast TV, or other streaming services.
Who is performing at halftime of the NFL Melbourne Game?
The Jonas Brothers will headline the halftime show at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
What other NFL games are on Netflix in 2026?
Netflix airs the Thanksgiving Eve game (Packers at Rams, Nov 25), two Christmas Day games (Packers at Bears, Bills at Broncos), and a Week 18 game, plus NFL Honors during Super Bowl week.
Final Thoughts
The 49ers vs. Rams NFL Melbourne Game is a historic night for both football and streaming — the NFL’s first regular season game in Australia, live on Netflix. Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 10 at 8:35 PM ET, open Netflix, and enjoy the show. This article was last updated on September 9, 2026, and reflects the confirmed broadcast details from Netflix.