The NFL loves to play international games, and in 2026, the league is set to have nine games in seven countries. One of those games will take place in Melbourne, Australia, as the Los Angeles Rams are set to host the San Francisco 49ers.
In that contest, the Rams will be the first team to play an NFL game in Australia, a nation in which they have marketing rights in. The 49ers do not have rights in Australia.
The Rams have the most international rights within the Pacific, with influence in Australia and Asia. Recently, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about what market he would like to see the league play a game in next, naming Japan as his top target.
“Not one, I got about 10,” stated Goodell. “We had a game in Tokyo, but it was a preseason game so we want to do a regular-season game now.”
The Rams are the only team in the NFL that has international marketing rights in Japan, and considering their geographical location on the West Coast, they make the most sense to represent the league’s push into Asia.
It appears that we are one step closer to the Rams being one of the teams that play overseas every season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Roger Goodell wants a game in Japan, and the Rams are an obvious pick
Reporting by Brock Vierra, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brock Vierra, Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
