NFL Australia 2026 game likely date and teams, could up-end AFL finals series plans

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The NFL’s first venture into Australia could force the AFL into reshaping its 2026 semi-final set-up, according to Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph.

The NFL in February confirmed a “multi-year” commitment to play at the MCG, with the Los Angeles Rams locked in for the first instalment next year against an opponent yet to be determined.

The date of the match also hasn’t been confirmed, but NFL executive of club business and league events Peter O’Reilly said earlier this year his league would aim for the match to be played in week one of its 2026-27 season. That would mean an NFL match at the MCG in early September, which would clash with the AFL finals series during a time where the Aussie code owns the iconic venue.

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Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night, Ralph insisted the AFL had always been “really on board” with the NFL’s Australian play, adding it wasn’t a situation where “they can exert their will against a rival code”.

But with the NFL game now likely to fall on the second weekend of September, Ralph said “there’s no easy answers” for the AFL.

“The NFL is about to seriously upset the AFL’s finals plans next year,” Ralph told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos with LA Rams NFL players Kobie Turner and Steve Avila at the MCG. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Source: News Corp Australia

“My understanding is that Friday September 11 is the likely date for that clash. Friday morning in Melbourne, Thursday night (USA time) in Round 1 of the NFL season.

“A Friday morning clash there would mean that it’s semi-final weekend. What happens for the AFL? What happens if say Carlton and Collingwood both qualify for those home semi-finals?

“The AFL and the MCC could turn around a game into a Saturday night game. (But) they don’t do Sunday finals.”

Ralph highlighted a suggestion from former Collingwood president Edde McGuire, who sits on the Visit Victoria board, to shift the AFL 2026 season start and end dates.

“There is that situation where the AFL has a clear weekend. Eddie McGuire has talked about pushing the entire season back two weeks to an October Grand Final,” he said.

Fox Footy commentator Corbin Middlemas added: “I like Eddie’s theory of pushing it back, I think that would work really well. You could have your pre-finals bye while that’s happening and avoid whatever clash there could be.”

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But Ralph said McGuire’s suggestion was “unlikely” to come to fruition.

Fellow Herald Sun reporter Lauren Wood told Midweek Tackle: “Well they’re known for the big hits in the NFL – and it’s well and truly on a collision course.”

MCC chief executive Stuart Fox earlier this year said he was confident the MCG turf would hold up if a quick turnaround time between codes was required.

“History shows we can turn the ground very quickly, we’ve done it for State of Origin, we do it every weekend for three or four games of football, we’ve done it with EPL,” Fox told SEN.

“It’s going to be a challenge for our team but that’s what our team do for a living, they run a stadium and I think they do it pretty well.”

Victorian premier Jacinta Allen said recently of the fixture concerns: “There won’t be a clash. We’re putting together a committee to make sure the timing works for everyone, the AFL, the NFL, and the stadium.”

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