Technology has never been more advanced – or confusing. Gone are the days of firing up your TV and flipping on the guide to see what's on. And don't even think about perusing an old TV Guide magazine to find something to watch. No, there's an entirely different world out there. It's a world filled with endless viewing possibilities, from tutorials for making scrambled eggs to key matchups in the 2026 NFL season. Just don't expect everything to come with your cable package.
Rams vs. 49ers: The NFL's First Game in Australia
That is especially true for the second game of the 2026 NFL season when the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers clash in the league's first game in Australia. Part of the continued international expansion, Myles Garrett's debut for L.A. will come at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is also where the first major punch in the NFC West will take place. A game that could have massive implications on the remainder of the season is also must-see TV. It's more of a "must-see stream," since this game doesn't require just your attention, but your wallet as well.
Do I Need a Netflix Subscription to Watch Rams vs. 49ers?
Yes, you will need an active Netflix subscription to watch the Rams and 49ers play in Australia. NFL viewers can subscribe to any Netflix plan – from their "standard with ads" option for $8.99/month to "premium" at $26.99/month – to get access to Thursday's game. There is no additional charge to watch the stream. Just because that is the easiest way to watch doesn't mean there are ways around the Netflix paywall. As always, there are exceptions: Fans with a subscription to the NFL's premium subscription service, NFL+, can stream the game on their mobile device using the NFL app. In addition, football fans in a competing team's local market can watch that team's game on their local NBC affiliate station.
NFL Games Today: Netflix Slate
Here's the rundown of the NFL's Netflix slate today:
- Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Time: 8:35 p.m. ET
Streaming: Netflix
If you like your division games to be played in front of raucous home crowds on American soil, we have some bad news for you. Then again, the 49ers fans typically outnumber the Rams supporters in L.A. for this game every year. Instead, it will be a matchup in Australia that serves as the site for Garrett's debut, so save that nugget for trivia in the future.
Rams and 49ers: Super Bowl Aspirations and Key Storylines
Sean McVay's Rams head into Week 1 as the clear Super Bowl favorites, following a transformative offseason. They not only acquired Garrett, but also made major improvements to the secondary to build an all-around elite defense. The usual suspects return on offense, leaving the team with no real weakness on paper. Of course, L.A. also has the reigning MVP at quarterback in Matthew Stafford. Kyle Shanahan's 49ers might face an uphill climb in Week 1 and this season, but this is another team that brought in some reinforcements this offseason. Health remains key for San Fran, perhaps more than any other team in the league given the pieces they've lost in recent years.
Someone is going to make a first impression in Week 1. Time will tell whether that impression lasts when the dust settles in Week 18. As the NFL continues its global expansion, games like this serve as a litmus test for the league's international ambitions. For fans, it's a chance to witness elite football at an unusual hour – and for the Rams and 49ers, it's an early opportunity to stake their claim in the NFC West.
Reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk. For more insights and official NFL merchandise, visit Vulius.com.
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