ESPN scores historic NFL Melbourne game in expanded rights deal

ESPN is strengthening its NFL offering in Australia and New Zealand, securing coverage of the first regular-season NFL game played in Australia and extending its rights to NFL RedZone on Disney+.

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The Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, 11 September. ESPN and Disney+ will begin live coverage from 8.30am AEST ahead of the 10.35am kick-off.

ESPN lands historic Melbourne game

Up to 100,000 fans are expected at the MCG for the clash between the NFC West rivals. ESPN will produce a dedicated local broadcast with pre-game coverage, commentary and analysis from its NFL talent.

The game will also feature a halftime performance from the Jonas Brothers.

Kylie Watson-Wheeler, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President and Managing Director, and Head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, said the match would be a major moment for the broadcaster's local NFL coverage.

“We’re thrilled to offer ESPN and Disney+ viewers a prime viewing position of the landmark NFL Melbourne game taking place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground,” Watson-Wheeler said.

“Our Disney audience has a long-held affinity with the Jonas Brothers, making them an ideal choice to create an incredible spectacle at half-time, with the Rams-49ers game a truly unmissable moment in the sporting calendar.”

Watson-Wheeler said ESPN's relationship with the NFL spans more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand, with the network also holding local coverage of the Super Bowl.

RedZone stays exclusive to Disney+

ESPN has also extended its rights to NFL RedZone on Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand, alongside a selection of other live NFL content.

RedZone will remain exclusive to Disney+ locally, offering more than seven hours of coverage each NFL Monday.

Across the 2026-27 season, ESPN said it will carry at least six live NFL games each week. Its coverage also includes every NFL Playoff game, the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl LXI.

Charlotte Offord, NFL Australia & New Zealand General Manager, said ESPN remained an important partner as the league looks to grow its local audience.

“The NFL is delighted that ESPN will broadcast the historic Melbourne Game, in what is a milestone year for the league in the region,” Offord said.

“Our close relationship with ESPN is built on a shared commitment to delivering the very best NFL action to fans wherever and however they choose to watch.”

Offord said ESPN has broadcast the NFL into Australia since 1995, with the league estimating it has 8.8 million fans across Australia.

Disney prepares for its first global Super Bowl production

The expanded coverage comes ahead of another significant milestone for ESPN and Disney. Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles in February 2027 will be The Walt Disney Company and ESPN’s first production of the Super Bowl for a global NFL audience.

ESPN plans to establish a week-long broadcast centre at Santa Monica Beach, which will host live programming, digital coverage, social content and fan activations throughout Super Bowl week.

The 2026-27 NFL season begins on Thursday, 10 September AEST with the New England Patriots facing defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. The Rams and 49ers will then meet in Melbourne the following morning.

ESPN and ESPN2 are available through Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ across Australia and New Zealand.