NFL Makes Announcement After Rams' Loss in Australia

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

NFL Makes Announcement After Rams' Loss in Australia

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Sep 11, 2026 8:12 PM ET

The NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia was a massive success despite the Los Angeles Rams’ failure to live up to expectations in a blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers. This is evident from the fact that the game recorded one of the biggest crowds in league history.

On social media, the NFL announced that a total of 100,021 fans were in attendance to see Matthew Stafford’s Rams take on Brock Purdy and the 49ers. This marks the “7th most attended regular season game in history.”

Furthermore, it is the second-highest attendance outside the United States, behind only the 2005 game between the 49ers and Arizona Cardinals in Mexico.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) meets with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9).Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

What made it even more impressive was the fact that fans packed the Melbourne Cricket Ground at 10:35 a.m. local time on a Friday morning to accommodate the American television audience.

Even with the odd schedule, local attendees turned out in full force to fill the iconic venue to celebrate the NFL’s first regular-season game in the country.

On the field, the game belonged entirely to San Francisco. Purdy recorded 205 yards and three touchdowns to lead the 49ers to a 27-7 win over the Rams. Stafford, for his part, wasn’t able to score a touchdown for L.A. and threw for only 155 yards.

San Francisco’s defense also shone against Los Angeles, while Myles Garrett’s debut with his new team didn’t go the way he planned. Garrett failed to record a single sack or tackle in the loss.

THANK YOU, MELBOURNE! @nflaunz pic.twitter.com/VnvmDbYxnZ
— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2026

In effect, the enormous crowd gave the NFL an early indication of the potential for playing more games in Australia. According to The Guardian, fans traveled from more than 30 countries to catch the game.

Sure enough, the NFL’s Melbourne debut couldn’t have been any better from a fan and business perspective.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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