Touchdown: MCG set to host NFL games in Victoria in Australian first
As Melbourne prepares to welcome the NFL, the city’s accommodation sector stands poised to benefit from increased international visitation
Melbourne is set to make sporting history, with the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) confirmed as the host venue for National Football League (NFL) regular-season games from 2026.
This landmark multi-year deal between the NFL and the Victorian Government marks the first time Australia will host official NFL fixtures, further solidifying Melbourne’s reputation as a world-leading city for major events.
Accommodation Australia has welcomed the announcement, recognising the significant boost it will provide to Melbourne’s accommodation and tourism sectors. Accommodation Australia (Victoria) General Manager, Dougal Hollis, highlighted the city’s impressive track record in successfully delivering major sporting spectacles, including the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Boxing Day Test, and the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament.
“A long history of successful major event delivery undoubtedly gives the NFL requisite confidence that hosting NFL fixtures in Melbourne will score a ‘touchdown’ with local and international football fans alike,” Mr Hollis said.
The popularity of the NFL in Australia has surged in recent years, with the sport boasting an estimated 6.6 million fans across the country. In the United States, the NFL continues to draw massive television audiences, with an average of 21 million viewers tuning in during the opening week of the 2024 season.
Increased exposure in North American markets is expected to encourage more US-based NFL fans to travel to Melbourne, further strengthening an inbound tourism sector already valued at $239 million annually for Victoria.
Accommodation Australia (Victoria) Advisory Group Chair, Peter Minatsis, highlighted the connection between major sporting events and increased hotel occupancies.
“Most NFL games are played on Sunday afternoons or Monday evenings in the United States. Assuming Melbourne’s hosted NFL games follow a similar pattern, this scheduling would prove a welcome boost to early-week hotel occupancies across the city,” he said.
Mr Minatsis also noted Melbourne’s unique advantage as one of the few global cities where world-class sporting and cultural precincts are within easy walking distance of the CBD. “This compact diversity adds a real carnival atmosphere during major event periods and is impossible for most other cities to replicate,” he added.
Adding to the excitement, the recent announcement of three new direct Delta Air Lines flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne (commencing in December 2025) will provide timely additional capacity for US-based visitors. With 1200 non-stop flights operating between Melbourne and the United States each year, carrying an estimated 435,000 passengers, the city is well-positioned to capitalise on the anticipated influx of American football fans.
As Melbourne prepares to welcome the NFL, the city’s accommodation sector stands poised to benefit from increased international visitation and heightened demand for hotel stays. With its proven ability to host world-class sporting events, Melbourne is ready to deliver an unforgettable experience for fans and visitors alike, ensuring that when the NFL arrives in 2026, the MCG will be the ultimate stage for gridiron action Down Under.
