The NFL has officially landed Down Under, with more than 100,000 fans expected to pack the MCG for the first regular-season game ever played in Australia.

The San Francisco 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on Friday, September 11, marking a historic moment for one of the biggest sporting leagues in the world.

From touchdowns and downs to flags, field goals and the seemingly endless stopping of the clock, here is everything you need to know before watching your first NFL game.

What time does the NFL Melbourne game start?

The San Francisco 49ers v Los Angeles Rams game kicks off at 10.35am AEST on Friday, September 11 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Seven’s coverage begins from 9am AEST in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Coverage begins at 8.30am on 7mate in Adelaide before switching to Seven from 9am, while Perth viewers can tune in from 7am on 7mate before coverage moves to Seven from 8am.

Where can I watch the NFL Melbourne game?

The historic 49ers v Rams clash will be available live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport in Australia.

It means you do not need to be among the enormous crowd at the MCG to watch Australia’s first regular-season NFL game.

Who is playing in the NFL Melbourne game?

The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are two Californian teams and fierce divisional rivals in the NFC West.

The 49ers are led by quarterback Brock Purdy, while the Rams boast veteran superstar quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The game is part of Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, making the historic Melbourne clash count towards the teams’ regular-season records.

How long does an NFL game go for?

This is where things can get confusing.

An NFL game officially contains 60 minutes of playing time, split into four 15-minute quarters.

But do not expect to be finished in an hour.

Because the clock regularly stops between plays, for penalties, timeouts, changes of possession, reviews and other interruptions, an NFL game generally takes around three hours to complete.

There is also a halftime break after the second quarter, and Melbourne gets an added bonus, with the Jonas Brothers performing at halftime.

How does NFL actually work?

At its simplest, each team is trying to move the ball down the field and into the opposition’s end zone.

The team with possession — the offence — gets four attempts, known as downs, to move the ball at least 10 yards (9 meters).

If they make those 10 yards, the count resets and they receive another four downs.

If they fail, possession can be handed to the other team, which is why teams will often punt the ball away on fourth down rather than risk losing it where they stand.

Think of it as four chances to make 10 yards.

Key NFL rules and terms you need to know

If you’re new to the NFL, these are the basics that will get you through the game:

• Down: Each team gets four attempts, called downs, to move the ball at least 10 yards. Make it, and they get another four downs.
• Touchdown: Worth six points and scored by getting the ball into the opposition’s end zone.
• Extra point: After a touchdown, teams can kick for one extra point or attempt a two-point conversion.
• Field goal: A kick through the goalposts worth three points.
• Quarterback: The player who leads the offence, throwing or handing off the ball. Keep an eye on Brock Purdy and Matthew Stafford.

• Interception: When a defender catches a pass intended for the attacking team, immediately changing possession.
• Fumble: When a player loses control of the ball before being ruled down (Ruled down is when a player in possession of the ball’s knee touches the ground). Either team can recover it.
• Sack: When the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball.

• Red zone: The final 20 yards before the opposition’s end zone, where a team has a strong chance of scoring.