The NFL’s historic game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG later this year will fall smack-bang in the middle of the AFL’s 2026 finals series, with the match to take place on Friday, September 11.
The 2026 AFL finals begin with wildcard round on the last weekend of August, which means the Rams and 49ers’ regular season match will fall on semi-final weekend, with kick-off scheduled for 10.35am in Melbourne – prime-time in the United States.
The AFL has previously stated that it was supportive of the event, despite the possible implications for the league’s finals.
The MCG has hosted exhibition soccer matches, NRL State of Origin and Bledisloe Cup rugby games during the AFL season in the past, as well as concerts in December 2022 before that year’s Boxing Day Test.
In July 2023, the venue had 18 hours to prepare the field for the Bledisloe Cup on a Saturday night after staging an AFL game the previous evening, and 15 hours to be ready again for a Sunday afternoon game of football.
Tickets for the event go on sale on Wednesday, April 9, however MCG members will have access to a pre-sale on April 1.
More to come.
Billie Eder is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
