NFL: Goodell promises Melbourne game will not be a one-off

MELBOURNE, Australia — Roger Goodell has confirmed that the landmark NFL regular-season game in Australia is intended to be the beginning of a long-term expansion into the country, with the league open to returning as early as 2027 following the debut matchup in Melbourne.

Speaking at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, the NFL commissioner said the league is committed to establishing a sustained presence in Australia rather than staging a one-off event, as excitement builds ahead of the historic clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.

“There’s no question that we’re going to be playing here again,” Goodell told reporters on the field at the iconic venue. “Our view is that we’re coming here for the long term. We don’t come as one-offs. This isn’t a circus. This is an investment in this market.”

He added that the league views the Australian expansion as part of a broader global strategy aimed at growing the sport internationally.

Pressed on whether the NFL could return to Australia as soon as 2027, Goodell said it was possible, though no formal decision has been made.

“It might,” he said when asked directly about a potential return that year.

Interest in the September 11 game has been strong, with ticket demand for the 100,000-capacity stadium reportedly so high that a pre-sale alone could have sold out the event if the league had not reserved allocations for fans in the United States.

Goodell also acknowledged discussions around potentially breaking the record for attendance at an NFL regular-season game, currently set at 105,121 during a matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants in 2009.

“We’re going to have to talk and see how many more seats we can get in there,” he said. “It’s going to be close, and maybe we can get there.”

The league’s international ambitions come despite some resistance from within the sport. Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the 49ers, recently expressed concerns about the challenges of traveling to Australia to open the season, saying it could disrupt preparation.

Goodell said he understood the perspective of team management focused on competitive performance but emphasized that international games remain part of the league’s long-term growth plan.

“Coach Shanahan is a great football coach, and his job is to win,” he said. “But this game counts, and we will make sure teams are ready to compete when they return to the season.”

The Melbourne matchup marks one of the NFL’s most ambitious international ventures to date, as the league continues to expand its footprint beyond the United States. -Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters