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Australian fans will get the chance to witness one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history after Aaron Donald sensationally came out of retirement to rejoin the Rams on a one-year, $20 million deal that can reach $30m through incentives.<\/p>\n
Matthew Stafford will lead the Rams into Melbourne as Los Angeles begins another push towards the Super Bowl.Source: AP<\/p>\n
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year will line up alongside reigning DPOY Myles Garrett. Together, Donald and Garrett boast five Defensive Player of the Year awards, 13 first-team All-Pro selections and 236.5 career sacks, forming one of the most decorated defensive combinations the NFL has seen.<\/p>\n
And the quality of the teams heading to Melbourne only adds to the occasion.<\/p>\n
Both Los Angeles and San Francisco finished last season with identical 12-5 records before their Super Bowl pursuits were ended by eventual champions Seattle.<\/p>\n
The 49ers were eliminated by the Seahawks in the divisional round, while the Rams went one step further before falling to Seattle in the NFC Championship Game.<\/p>\n
Now two of last season\u2019s NFC heavyweights, one of the league\u2019s fiercest divisional rivalries and some of the biggest stars in American football are heading to the MCG.<\/p>\n
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the NFL\u2019s historic first regular-season game in Australia.<\/p>\n
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE NFL MELBOURNE GAME?<\/p>\n
The NFL\u2019s historic Melbourne clash between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will be played on Friday, September 11, 2026 (AEST) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).<\/p>\n
The blockbuster will be the second game of the 2026 NFL regular season and the first of this season\u2019s International Series.<\/p>\n
Most significantly, it will mark the first NFL regular-season game ever played in Australia, as the league begins a multi-year commitment to Melbourne.<\/p>\n
San Francisco also finished 12-5 last season before its campaign ended in the divisional round.Source: AP<\/p>\n
WHAT TIME DOES THE NFL MELBOURNE GAME START?<\/p>\n
The Rams and 49ers will kick off at 10.35am AEST on Friday, September 11 at the MCG, with gates opening at 7am. <\/p>\n
The unusual morning start allows the historic Melbourne clash to be broadcast in Thursday night primetime in the United States, beginning at 8.35pm ET and 5.35pm PT.<\/p>\n
HOW CAN WE WATCH THE NFL MELBOURNE GAME IN AUSTRALIA?<\/p>\n
Australian fans can watch the historic Rams-49ers clash live on Kayo Sports<\/a> through ESPN, with the streaming service carrying ESPN\u2019s NFL coverage. <\/p>\n The game kicks off at 10.35am AEST on Friday, September 11.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/p>\n AUSSIES IN THE NFL: From $100m giant to Super Bowl hero – Every Aussie in the NFL… and those knocking on the door<\/a><\/p>\n US VIEW: BBQs, urinals and \u2018Patrick f***ing Dangerfield\u2019: Visiting NFL journos\u2019 hilarious takes on Aussie culture<\/a><\/p>\n KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH<\/p>\n LOS ANGELES RAMS<\/p>\n Matthew Stafford \u2013 QB<\/p>\n The veteran quarterback remains the man running Sean McVay\u2019s offence and was ranked No.4 in the NFL\u2019s Top 100 players entering 2026.<\/p>\n Aaron Donald \u2013 DE<\/p>\n One of the greatest defensive players in NFL history is back. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has sensationally come out of retirement and will make his return with the Rams in Melbourne.<\/p>\n Myles Garrett \u2013 OLB<\/p>\n The superstar pass-rusher gives Australian fans another generational defensive talent to watch, with his combination alongside Donald one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Rams entering 2026.<\/p>\n Aaron Donald\u2019s stunning return means Australian fans will get the chance to witness one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history.Source: AFP<\/p>\n SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS<\/p>\n Brock Purdy \u2013 QB<\/p>\n The 49ers\u2019 starting quarterback and one of the faces of the franchise, Purdy will be tasked with navigating a terrifying Rams defence featuring Donald and Garrett.<\/p>\n Christian McCaffrey \u2013 RB<\/p>\n One of the NFL\u2019s premier offensive weapons and a former Offensive Player of the Year, McCaffrey remains central to everything San Francisco does with the football.<\/p>\n Nick Bosa \u2013 DE<\/p>\n A former Defensive Player of the Year and one of the NFL\u2019s elite pass-rushers. Bosa has been working his way back from an ACL injury but has expressed confidence about being ready for Week 1.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/p>\n CHAMPS EXPOSED: NFL powerhouse\u2019s 15-year sneaky tactic exposed as guru reveals \u2018diabolically clever\u2019 ploy<\/a><\/p>\n