Last updated: 23 July 2026
Prepare for 3 days of American football festival fun as the NFL takes over Melbourne Park this September.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Melbourne for the big game or don’t have a ticket but want to soak up the experience, this guide has you covered – from key dates, ticketing details and journey information to event activations, official watch parties and live music
Here’s your guide to the NFL Melbourne Game Kickoff Festival:
Quick Links
Plan your NFL experience in Melbourne
Dates
The NFL Kickoff Festival will take place over 3 days from Thursday 10 September to Saturday 12 September at Melbourne Park.
Opening hours are:
Thursday 10 September: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Friday 11 September: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday 12 September: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will take the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday 11 September at 10:35 am.
Location
The NFL Kickoff Festival will be held across the Melbourne Park precinct, the home of the Australian Open.
Yes. The NFL Kickoff Festival will be fully accessible for all attendees. Melbourne Park and its access points are all equipped with ramps and lifts. If you require assistance, please inform a member of our guest services team or visit our Accessibility page for further information.
Ticketing
American Express Card Members will have exclusive access to Amex Presale Tickets from Monday 27 July at 10:00 am until Wednesday 29 July at 10:00 am, or until allocation is exhausted. General public tickets will go on sale from Wednesday 29 July at 11:00 am.
Ground Pass ticket prices are:
Thursday 10 September: $49 for adults
Friday 11 September: $59 for adults
Saturday 12 September: $49 for adults
Children aged 13 and under can attend free on all days. A free child ticket must be redeemed with an accompanying adult ticket.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Fans can also download the NFL OnePass app for event information, schedules and ticket updates.
Your ticket includes access to daily entertainment, music performances, interactive activations and a headline act each evening. Artist announcements and performance details will be released closer to the event.
What’s On
The NFL Kickoff Festival will transform Melbourne Park into an immersive American-style football experience featuring NFL exhibits and interactive activations, official NFL retail pop-ups and exclusive merchandise collaborations, Flag Football clinics and games at Kia Arena, the NFL Academy Combine Zone, an American food village, official watch parties, music performances and live entertainment, and NFL and partner giveaways.
Yes. NFL legends, pundits and executives will appear across the festival schedule, including a live Q&A with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Additional appearance announcements will be released closer to the event.
Kia Arena will host an NFL Flag Football field featuring clinics, school visits and a celebrity game. Fans can also enjoy a cross-code skills challenge featuring some of Australia’s top athletes and watch Australia take on New Zealand in men’s and women’s Flag Football matches.
Yes. On Thursday 10 September, fans can enjoy the official watch party for the 2026 NFL Season Opener. The festival will also host the official NFL Melbourne Game watch party for fans who want to experience the excitement of game day at Melbourne Park.
Plan Your Visit
Fans can taste their way around Melbourne Park with an American food village featuring a range of American-style cuisines and food offerings throughout the festival.
Download the NFL OnePass app and follow @NFLAUNZ across social media for the latest event information, schedules and ticket updates.
Find your next event
The action doesn’t stop at Melbourne Park. From major concerts and sporting events to family-friendly experiences, Melbourne Park’s year-round calendar is packed with something for everyone.
Whether you’re planning ahead or feeling like a spontaneous night out, Melbourne Park is your next destination.
Acknowledgement of Country
Melbourne Park acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the East Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners of the land on which it operates, and pays respect to Elders past and present.
Acknowledgements
We welcome all cultures, all religions, all colours, all beliefs, all ages, all sizes, all types, all people.
Accessibility Statement
We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards.
Please let us know if you encounter any issues.