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Staff Writer
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July 21, 2026
The National Football League (NFL) is taking over the Melbourne Park precinct for three days, in celebration of Australia’s first-ever regular season NFL game. At the NFL Melbourne Game Kickoff Festival, you can expect watch parties, merchandise, Flag Football clinics, an American food village, live concerts and more! This event for fans will run from Thursday, September 10 to Saturday, September 12.
Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com
NFL Melbourne Game Kickoff Festival
The San Francisco 49ers are facing off against the Los Angeles Rams at MCG on Friday, September 11. Whether you’re a huge fan, or you’re just keen to learn a bit more about this sport, you’ll have a fun time at this multi-day festival.
At the Kickoff Festival, you can expect daily entertainment and music performances from Aussie artists and DJs. More details about the artists will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Supplied/Image: Ashlea Caygill
Meanwhile, an NFL Flag football field will take over Kia Arena, allowing fans of all ages to experience a non-contact format of the game. Flag clinics, school visits and even a celebrity game to feature as part of the schedule, including a cross-codes skills challenge with some of Australia’s top athletes, and an Australia vs New Zealand game. There will also be an NFL Academy Combine Zone, where fans will test their gridiron skills, and see how they do against the pros.
Fans can browse through a variety of retail pop-ups, stacked with NFL merch and exclusive brand collaborations. There will also be photo ops with all 60 Super Bowl rings and the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Throughout the festival, there will also be NFL legends and experts on the schedule, including a live Q&A with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The Rams and 49ers, as well as the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders, will have activations on site.
There will be an official watch party on Thursday for the 2026 NFL Season Opener, where the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots will go head-to-head. Then, on Friday, the festival will host a watch party, so that fans who can’t attend the Melbourne game can still feel the action.
Hungry fans can fuel up on tasty American-style cuisine at the American food village.
Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com
Tickets and more details
🎫American Express Card Members can purchase presale tickets from 10am on Monday, July 27 to 10am on Wednesday, July 29.
After that, general sale tickets will be available from 11am on Wednesday, July 29.
Tickets are $49 for adults on Thursday and Saturday, and $59 for adults on Friday. Children aged 13 and under can enter for free, as long as they are with an adult. All performances, activations and a headline act each evening are included as part of the ticket.
📅Thursday, September 10 to Saturday, September 12
📍Melbourne Park precinct, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC 3001
Find more information here.