TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Football League (NFL) made history on Friday, September 11, 2026, as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the first regular-season NFL game played in Australia.
The historic match drew a crowd of 100,021 spectators, making it the seventh-most attended regular-season game in NFL history and the largest turnout for a regular-season contest in nearly 15 years, according to Yahoo Sports.
Despite the turnout, the venue setup drew mixed reactions from attendees. Fans on lower levels expressed frustration over obstructed views due to the gridiron field being positioned in the middle of the massive oval stadium.
As reported by Yahoo Sports, front-row seats, some priced as high as $700, were positioned roughly 50 yards away from the field. "A fan who traveled to Australia for #49ers-#Rams posted the view from his FIRST-ROW seats and he could barely see the field," football outlet MLFootball noted in a social media update.
American spectators also expressed surprise at the absence of traditional stadium parking lots surrounding the MCG. Venue regulations restrict general public parking in Yarra Park during major events to protect heritage parklands and ensure crowd safety, relying instead on public transportation.
Addressing the confusion on social media, one local resident clarified the setup, as cited by news.com.au: "We use a combination of public transport, nearby parking structures, and walking. The MCG is part of a sporting precinct designed for mass access and exodus with efficiency and convenience in mind."
On the field, the Rams opened the scoring early in the second quarter when running back Kyren Williams rushed into the end zone following a drive led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, marking the first NFL touchdown scored on Australian soil.
However, San Francisco took control of the game, bolstered by a goal-line defensive stop late in the third quarter and a touchdown by receiver Deebo Samuel, securing a decisive victory over their divisional rivals, according to ABC.
The event featured a blend of cultural performances, including a Welcome to Country dance alongside American breakdancers, pregame music, and a halftime show by the Jonas Brothers.
10 Highest-Attended Regular-Season NFL Games in History
1. Giants at Cowboys (Sept. 20, 2009): 105,121 spectators at Cowboys Stadium
2. 49ers vs. Cardinals (Oct. 2, 2005): 103,467 spectators at Estadio Azteca
3. 49ers at Rams (Nov. 10, 1957): 102,368 spectators at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
4. Eagles at Cowboys (Jan. 3, 2010): 100,621 spectators at Cowboys Stadium
5. Bears at Rams (Nov. 2, 1958): 100,470 spectators at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
6. Colts at Rams (Dec. 6, 1958): 100,202 spectators at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
7. Rams vs. 49ers (September 11, 2026): 100,021 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
8. Giants at Cowboys (Dec. 11, 2011): 95,952 spectators at Cowboys Stadium
9. Steelers at Cowboys (Dec. 16, 2012): 95,595 spectators at Cowboys Stadium
10. 49ers at Rams (Oct. 3, 1954): 95,563 spectators at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
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