Netflix Is Taking the NFL to Australia in September and It's Only the Beginning

Netflix just locked down something wild: the first ever NFL game played in Australia. The Los Angeles Rams are heading to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, September 10 to take on the San Francisco 49ers, and it's going to kick off at 8:35 p.m. ET. For folks in Melbourne? That's Friday morning football, which is either genius or completely unhinged depending on how you look at it.

More Than Just an Aussie Adventure

This Australia game is just the tip of the iceberg for Netflix's NFL takeover. The streaming giant is also getting rights to broadcast a game during Thanksgiving week, plus two Christmas Day matchups. That's a massive chunk of prime football real estate heading to the streaming world, and it signals Netflix is serious about becoming a legitimate home for NFL content.

The Wall Street Journal reported back in March that Netflix was in talks for exactly this kind of package: an international game, a Thanksgiving-week slot, and those two Christmas games. Now it's official, and the Rams-49ers showdown in Melbourne is the marquee event.

How to Actually Watch It

Here's the catch: if you're not in Los Angeles or San Francisco, you're going to need a Netflix subscription to catch the Australia game. Those two markets get an over-the-air TV option, which keeps the local fans in the loop without forcing them online. For everyone else though, it's Netflix or nothing.

This is the new reality of football broadcasting. Netflix is making a serious play for live sports, and the NFL is cashing in. The Australian matchup sets the tone for what's coming: streaming services aren't just supplementary anymore. They're becoming essential viewing for football fans.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.