NFL’s Long-Term Commitment to Australia
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear that the league is here in Australia for the long term. This statement comes as the sport prepares for its first regular-season game in Melbourne, set to take place in September. The match between the 49ers and the Rams is already generating massive excitement, with tickets selling out within minutes of going on sale.
The event is expected to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which has a capacity of over 100,000 seats. According to Goodell, the demand for tickets has been extremely high, with every ticket released so far being snapped up almost instantly. He even mentioned that if they had chosen to, the MCG could have sold out during the pre-sale alone.
An Australian Financial Review report revealed that the Victorian government invested up to $15 million to secure the game. However, Premier Jacinta Allen did not confirm this when asked by reporters on Friday. Despite this, the hype surrounding the event is already at fever pitch, and Goodell emphasized that the NFL is committed to staying in Australia.
“We always like to say we’re going to play and then we’ll announce, but there’s no question that we’re going to be playing (in Australia) again,” he told reporters on Friday morning from the MCG turf. “Our view is that we’re coming here for the long term. We don’t come as a one-off. This isn’t a circus. This is something that’s an investment in this market, and we believe that this is a long-term investment and will be great for the NFL long term.”
When asked if this meant the league would return for a regular season game in 2027, Goodell responded with a cautious “it might.”
Not everyone involved is thrilled about the prospect of playing in Australia, however. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his pessimism about the trip, stating that he doesn’t see any real benefit for the team. “I don’t see any pro (in travelling to Australia for a game),” Shanahan said. “It’s cool for the league to play globally. I think that’s awesome. But as far as the team doing it, no, there’s not much benefit to it. Sometimes it’s nice to get a bye week after but doesn’t happen in week one.”
In response to these comments, Goodell acknowledged that it makes sense for a coach to focus on winning. “Coaches have a focus on winning. That’s their number. Coach Shanahan is an enthusiastic and great football coach, but also someone who truly understands the importance of expanding our daily world. But his job is to win. His job is to play. I always say, coaches like to play at 1pm. Don’t get in the way of that.”
Entertainment and Expectations
The NFL has a history of bringing big-name half-time entertainment acts to marquee international games. For example, Colombian singer Karol G headlined the first-ever game in Brazil in 2025. Goodell confirmed that he and Premier Allen have already discussed what could be put together for Melbourne in September from an entertainment standpoint.
“We just had this discussion earlier this morning. I think it’s part of our MO to have half-time entertainment. We come with a show. It’s not just a football game, and we expect to do that,” he said.
As the NFL continues to expand its global footprint, the upcoming game in Melbourne represents a significant step forward for the sport in Australia. With strong fan support, high-profile entertainment, and a commitment to long-term growth, the league is positioning itself as a permanent fixture in the country.
