The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will make NFL history when the NFC West rivals meet in the league’s first regular-season game played in Australia.
San Francisco and Los Angeles face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, as part of Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
So, where can you watch 49ers vs. Rams?
The San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams NFL Melbourne Game will stream live nationally on Netflix on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET / 5:35 p.m. PT, with Netflix’s pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Here is everything to know about how to watch 49ers vs. Rams, including the streaming service, start time, NFL+ availability and historic location of the game.
How to Watch 49ers vs. Rams
The 49ers-Rams matchup will receive a national streaming broadcast on Netflix as part of the opening week of the 2026 NFL season.
| 49ers vs. Rams | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, September 10, 2026 |
| Kickoff Time | 8:35 p.m. ET / 5:35 p.m. PT |
| Pregame Coverage | 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT |
| National Streaming | Netflix |
| Mobile Streaming | NFL+ |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Location | Melbourne, Australia |
The game marks the NFL’s first regular-season contest played in Australia.
What Channel Is 49ers vs. Rams On?
49ers vs. Rams will not have a traditional national television channel. The game will stream nationally on Netflix.
That makes the Week 1 matchup different from most Thursday Night Football games.
Beginning in Week 2, Thursday Night Football moves to Prime Video, but the September 10 matchup between San Francisco and Los Angeles is a special Netflix presentation.
Fans in the participating teams’ local markets may have access to an over-the-air simulcast under NFL local-market broadcasting rules.
How to Stream 49ers vs. Rams
Netflix is the primary way to stream 49ers vs. Rams nationally.
Fans with an active Netflix subscription can open the Netflix app or website and select the NFL Melbourne Game.
The game is included with Netflix plans, meaning subscribers do not need to purchase a separate pay-per-view event or sports package to watch.
Netflix can be accessed through supported smart TVs, streaming devices, computers, smartphones, tablets and gaming consoles.
Is 49ers vs. Rams on Netflix?
Yes. The 49ers vs. Rams game will stream live on Netflix.
Netflix’s coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET, more than two hours before kickoff.
The game itself is scheduled to begin at 8:35 p.m. ET / 5:35 p.m. PT.
This is one of several NFL games Netflix will carry during the 2026 season.
Is 49ers vs. Rams on NFL+?
Yes. 49ers vs. Rams will also be available through NFL+ on eligible mobile devices.
NFL+ provides access to live local and primetime NFL games on supported mobile devices, subject to the service’s viewing restrictions.
Fans looking to watch the game on a television nationally should plan to use Netflix.
Is 49ers vs. Rams on Amazon Prime Video?
No. The Week 1 matchup between the 49ers and Rams is not a Prime Video broadcast.
Although Prime Video is the primary home of Thursday Night Football during the 2026 NFL season, its Thursday night schedule begins in Week 2.
The 49ers-Rams Melbourne game is instead streaming on Netflix.
That distinction is especially important for viewers accustomed to automatically opening Prime Video for Thursday night NFL games.
What Time Does 49ers vs. Rams Start?
49ers vs. Rams kicks off at 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 10.
That corresponds to the following times across the United States:
- Eastern Time: 8:35 p.m.
- Central Time: 7:35 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 6:35 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 5:35 p.m.
Netflix’s pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.
Where Is the 49ers vs. Rams Game Being Played?
The 49ers and Rams will play at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.
The massive stadium, commonly known as the MCG, is one of Australia’s most famous sporting venues.
The matchup represents a significant milestone for the NFL because it will be the league’s first regular-season game played in Australia.
The NFL has continued expanding its International Games schedule, with games also being played in countries including England, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Mexico and France during the 2026 season.
When Is 49ers vs. Rams in Australia?
Although American viewers will watch the game on Thursday night, September 10, it will already be Friday, September 11, in Melbourne.
The game is scheduled for the morning in Australia because of the time difference and the NFL’s desire to place the matchup in a U.S. primetime viewing window.
That creates the unusual situation of an NFL regular-season game being played Friday morning locally while airing Thursday night in the United States.
Who Is Announcing 49ers vs. Rams?
Netflix has assembled a dedicated broadcast team for the historic NFL Melbourne Game.
Noah Eagle will handle play-by-play duties alongside former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who will serve as the game analyst.
Tom Pelissero and MJ Acosta-Ruiz will report from the sidelines, while former NFL official Terry McAulay will serve as rules analyst.
Netflix’s studio coverage will be hosted by Elle Duncan and feature Michael Irvin, Nick Foles and Clay Matthews III.
Why Are the 49ers and Rams Playing in Australia?
The matchup is part of the NFL’s continued effort to expand its international presence.
The league has increasingly taken regular-season games outside the United States, with London, Munich, Madrid, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and other international cities hosting NFL games.
Melbourne joins that list in 2026.
The 49ers-Rams matchup gives the NFL an opportunity to showcase two NFC West rivals while introducing a regular-season NFL game to Australian fans for the first time.
49ers vs. Rams Week 1 Matchup
The game also carries significance beyond its historic location.
San Francisco and Los Angeles are longtime NFC West rivals, meaning the teams will begin their seasons with an important divisional matchup.
Starting the season with a division game can have implications later in the year because head-to-head results factor into NFL playoff tiebreakers.
Both teams will therefore be looking to leave Melbourne with a 1-0 overall record and an early NFC West victory.
How to Watch 49ers vs. Rams Without Cable
Fans do not need a traditional cable or satellite television subscription to watch 49ers vs. Rams nationally.
Because Netflix is carrying the game, viewers simply need an active Netflix subscription and a compatible device.
Unlike a typical NFL game airing on CBS, FOX, NBC or ESPN, there is no need for a live-TV streaming package such as YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV for the national Netflix broadcast.
49ers vs. Rams Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch 49ers vs. Rams?
The San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams game will stream nationally on Netflix.
What time is the 49ers vs. Rams game?
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET / 5:35 p.m. PT on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Is 49ers vs. Rams on Netflix?
Yes. The NFL Melbourne Game between the 49ers and Rams will stream live on Netflix.
Is 49ers vs. Rams on Prime Video?
No. The Week 1 Thursday matchup is on Netflix. Prime Video’s 2026 Thursday Night Football schedule begins in Week 2.
Can I watch 49ers vs. Rams on NFL+?
Yes. NFL+ lists the game as available for streaming on eligible mobile devices, subject to NFL+ restrictions.
Where are the 49ers and Rams playing?
The game will take place at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.
Is this the first NFL game in Australia?
Yes. The 49ers-Rams matchup is the first NFL regular-season game played in Australia.
Final Word
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will open their 2026 seasons on one of the NFL’s biggest international stages.
49ers vs. Rams streams live nationally on Netflix on Thursday, September 10, with kickoff scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET / 5:35 p.m. PT. Netflix’s pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET.
For U.S. viewers, the most important thing to remember is that this Week 1 Thursday night game is on Netflix, not Prime Video.
The NFC West rivals will meet at Melbourne Cricket Ground in the NFL’s first regular-season game played in Australia.