NFL set to host a game in Australia next year between Philadelphia Eagles and LA Rams

The NFL is reportedly going to Australia, with a 2026 game between Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams set to be held in Melbourne.

According to a report in the Herald Sun in Australia, Melbourne will host three in-season games spread over several years. The first is said to be between the Rams and Eagles, and will be played in October 2026.

The report says it will be held at the MCG, a 100,000-seater multi-purpose stadium that is used for cricket and AFL (Australian Rules Football). 

The Eagles are in next week's Super Bowl in New Orleans against Kansas City Chiefs and lifted the trophy in 2018. The Rams, meanwhile, won the Super Bowl in 2022. 

This season, the Rams lost to the Eagles in the playoffs in a gripping 28-22 divisional round game in the snow in Philadelphia.

The Eagles would be an especially appealing team to take the game to Australia, given they have Australian Jordan Mailata on their roster. 

The NFL said in a statement to DailyMail.Com: 'Australia is an important market for the NFL globally and we are committed to growing the game at all levels across the continent. 

'As we’ve previously shared, we’re continuing to explore the possibility of a game in-market.'

The time difference could work for NFL fans back in the United States, too. 

Philadelphia is 16 hours behind Melbourne and LA 19 hours back. An early Sunday afternoon timeslot in Australia, for example, would catch a Saturday night crowd in Philly and LA. 

And the NFL been aggressive in trying to expand its overseas appeal. This season, regular season games were held in London, Germany and Brazil - the latter of which also involved the Eagles.

The report in Australia adds that teams heading to Melbourne will put on a week of NFL-related activities in the city, including fan zones with areas around Melbourne screening the game. 

For now, the Eagles are focusing on next week's Super Bowl against Travis Kelce and the Chiefs, who will enter the history books with a victory as the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three straight titles. 

They beat the Eagles in 2023 in Arizona to start that run, meaning this year's game also gives Philadelphia a shot at revenge. 

This time, they have Saquon Barkley in their ranks, who Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said is one of the best running backs ever to play the game.

The Rams, meanwhile, could face a bit of reshuffle during the offseason. 

Matthew Stafford, the quarterback, faces an uncertain future after hinting he would consider retirement after the offseason loss to the Eagles.

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is also expected to leave the team.