The city will be pumping Friday morning as the peak hour meets 100,000 NFL fans. If you’re heading along to the NFL’s historic match at the MCG, here’s everything you need to know.
When is it
2026 NFL Melbourne Game
Friday, September 11, 2026
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Gates open: 7am
Kick-off: 10.35am
Getting there
Walking from the city centre
Start at Fed Square, opposite Flinders St Station.
Walk through Birrarung Marr and across William Barak Bridge to the W1 entrance (15-20 mins).
Travelling by train
Get off at Richmond Station: 5-min walk to E2 Entrance.
Get off at Jolimont Station: 2-min walk to N1 or N2 Entrances.
Travelling by tram
Route 70a (Flinders St): Get off at Stop 7B (MCG/Rod Laver Arena) or 7C (MCG/John Cain Arena) for the S1 or S2 entrances.
Route 48a (Collins St) or 75a (Flinders St): Get off at Stop 11 (Jolimont Station/MCG) for the N1 or N2 entrances.
Travelling by bus
Route 246 (via Punt Rd, East Melbourne): Short walk through Yarra Park to the E1 or E2 entrances.
Road closures
Temporary road closures include: Barassi Way, Wellington Parade, Jolimont Road, Clarendon Street and surrounding local streets.
NFL Clear Bag Policy
Leave your backpack at home. Only the following bags will be permitted into the MCG for the match:
– Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 30.5 x 15.25 x 30.5 cm
This includes clear backpacks, clear fanny packs and clear cinch bags that fit within the permissible dimensions.
Banned items include:
* Luggage of any kind, computer, camera or binocular bags.
* Computers, iPads, or tablets
* Beach Balls.
* Camcorders (including GoPro).
* Can/Glass/bottles/flasks/empty bottles/Thermoses
* Flags with sticks or poles
* Flares.
* Footballs.
* Noise making devices such as horns, whistles, bells, vuvuzelas.
* Outside food or drink of any kind (except soft sided reusable water bottles).
The NFL is strict. Visit NFL.com for the full list.
Security
There will be a security fence around the MCG. You will need to show your ticket and undergo a security check before entering the stadium grounds.
Want to watch the game but don’t have a ticket?
*NFL Kickoff Festival at Melbourne Park:
Exit via MCG Gates 1, 6 or 7 and take the pedestrian bridges straight over the railway lines to Melbourne Park (400 metres, 5-minute walk).
You must already have a ticket to attend this event. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
* Melbourne End Zone will transform Fed Square into a free, family-friendly NFL fan zone on Thursday 10 September and Friday 11 September.
* Pubs throughout the city are opening early to show the match live.