ESPN will remain the home of US sports in Australia and New Zealand after the broadcaster announced an extended long-term NFL deal, featuring the historic NFL Melbourne game and RedZone on Disney+.
The first-ever regular season NFL game to be played in Australia will kick off on September 11 between the LA Rams and the San Francisco 49ers at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground with 100,000 fans expected to pack the stadium.
ESPN will provide a dedicated localised live broadcast on ESPN and Disney+ with wall-to-wall coverage during the build-up along with expert commentary and insights from ESPN's NFL talent - including the recently announced halftime headline performance from the multi-platinum Jonas Brothers.
In addition, ESPN has extended rights to RedZone on Disney+ exclusively, and a selection of other NFL live content in Australia and New Zealand.
The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President and Managing Director, and Head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, said: "We're thrilled to offer ESPN and Disney+ viewers a prime viewing position of the landmark NFL Melbourne game taking place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Our Disney audience has a long-held affinity with the Jonas Brothers, making them an ideal choice to create an incredible spectacle at half-time, with the Rams-49ers game a truly unmissable moment in the sporting calendar.
"ESPN remains the provider of the most comprehensive coverage of the NFL in Australia and New Zealand including the Super Bowl. Building on our long-standing alliance with the NFL that spans more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand, ESPN serves millions of sports fans locally via the most widely distributed premium sports network across pay TV and streaming." Charlotte Offord, NFL Australia & New Zealand General Manager, said: "The NFL is delighted that ESPN will broadcast the historic Melbourne Game, in what is a milestone year for the league in the region.
"Our close relationship with ESPN is built on a shared commitment to delivering the very best NFL action to fans wherever and however they choose to watch. ESPN has broadcast the NFL into Australia since 1995 and their year-round coverage makes them an important partner as we continue to grow the game here, starting with the New England Patriots taking on the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 10. Together, we're creating more opportunities to engage fans, showcase our athletes and bring the excitement of the NFL to our 8.8 million fans across Australia."
Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers will begin live on ESPN and Disney+ - from 8.30am AEST on Friday, 11 September with extensive coverage of the pre-game action before kick-off at 10:35am AEST
The NFL Melbourne game will be a taste of what ESPN has in store for fans this NFL season. From the opening kick-off to the crowning of a Super Bowl champion at Super Bowl LXI at ESPN and Disney's first-ever global production of the event, ESPN will deliver the most comprehensive NFL broadcast coverage available in Australia and New Zealand.
ESPN offers the most extensive weekly coverage of the 2026/27 NFL season, with a minimum of six live NFL games each week, plus NFL RedZone, all NFL Playoff games, the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl LXI.
NFL RedZone will remain exclusively on Disney+, providing over seven hours of coverage every NFL Monday.
Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles in February 2027 will mark The Walt Disney Company and ESPN's first production of the Super Bowl for the global NFL audience and will be a Super Bowl like no other.
As part of Super Bowl festivities, the network will establish a continuous weeklong presence along the iconic Santa Monica Beach, in a purpose-built central broadcast centre that will be a hub of Super Bowl LXI content - from live programming, digital and social storytelling and fan engagement.
The setting directly on the Greater Los Angeles coastline will deliver a setting that reflects the energy of Super Bowl week, the cultural impact of the event and showcase the combined strength of both ESPN and The Walt Disney Company.
ESPN's Year of the Super Bowl reflects ESPN and Disney's commitment to delivering an unmatched Super Bowl experience - from the screen to everywhere fans engage with the game.
NFL fans across Australia and New Zealand enjoy ESPN's NFL action, in the way they prefer, with NFL Minis, Full Game Replays and Highlights available across ESPN.
The 2026-27 NFL season begins on Thursday, 10 September AEST, with the NFL Season Kickoff: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks (Super Bowl rematch). The NFL Melbourne clash between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers follows live on Friday, 11 September AEST.
ESPN and ESPN2 is available on Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ - comprising the most widely distributed sports network across Australia and New Zealand.