A new major sports partnership is set to drive fresh inbound demand, with Qantas signing on as the Official Airline Partner of the National Football League (NFL) across Australia and New Zealand, including its debut Melbourne game in 2026.
The agreement centres on the first-ever regular season NFL match to be played in Australia, with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers set to meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 11 September 2026. The deal positions Qantas at the centre of travel for teams, officials and fans heading to the event.
Qantas will operate charter flights for both teams, alongside its existing network of up to 40 weekly services between Australia and the US, including routes to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York (via Auckland) and Dallas.
“More Americans are choosing to visit Australia than ever and these games are going to inspire a whole new wave of US fans to make the trip,” Qantas Group Chief Brand and Corporate Affairs Officer Danielle Keighery said.
“We cannot wait for them to experience the warm Australian hospitality and everything that makes this country unique, from the moment they step on board a Qantas flight.
“With more than 8.8 million NFL fans across Australia and New Zealand, Qantas will also be helping to connect fans across its extensive domestic and Trans-Tasman network to the MCG for this historic game.”
NFL Australia and New Zealand General Manager Charlotte Offord called Australia “a significant growth market for the league”.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Qantas as we continue to grow the sport across the region and work towards our first-ever regular season NFL game in Melbourne this year,” she said.
“The partnership will go a long way in not only benefiting our 8.8 million NFL fans across the region, but also in providing greater connection for our international fans who are looking to make the trip down under.”
Ticket sales for the game are now open, with pricing starting from $95 for standing access and $140 for general seating.
Beyond the match itself, the partnership highlights Melbourne’s appeal as a destination, with the city expected to benefit from increased visitation tied to the event.
The NFL continues to expand its footprint locally, supported by an Australian office, grassroots programs and regional fan engagement initiatives.
Two weeks ago, Qantas announced major schedule and route changes from April 2026 as demand and airfare prices for Qantas Europe flights soar. Read more about that here.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Big sport equals big travel moments. This is more than a game – it’s a high-yield event driving premium transpacific demand, group bookings and extended itineraries around Melbourne.
