but can the NFL win them over in debut Melbourne match?
The NFL is hosting a regular-season game between the LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, marking a significant international expansion effort. Despite the popularity of local Australian rules football, the event has sold out, signaling growing global interest in American football.
Why it matters
This highlights the NFL's aggressive international growth strategy to capture new markets and increase global revenue.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Simon Atkinson Australia producer Supplied: San Francisco 49ers George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers and other players were greeted by fans in Melbourne this week An oval ball, in September, in Melbourne usually means just one thing - the business end of the Australian rules football (AFL) season.
But on Friday, at the unsportingly early time of 7am, 100,000 people will begin filing into the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for a very un-Australian sporting spectacle - American football.
The LA Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in their opening National Football League (NFL) fixture, the first time the country has hosted a meaningful, non-exhibition regular season game.
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