NFL and ESPN Deepen Broadcast Partnership Across Australia and New Zealand

The National Football League (NFL) and ESPN have announced an expansion of their long-standing local broadcast partnership across Australia and New Zealand for the 2026 season, securing extensive coverage headlined by Australia’s first-ever regular-season fixture.

Under the arrangement, ESPN Australia will provide comprehensive weekly coverage throughout the competitive campaign, featuring a minimum of six live weekly games, all postseason matchups, and Super Bowl LXI from SoFi Stadium on February 15, 2027. The agreement solidifies a commercial alliance spanning more than thirty years, reinforcing the network’s position across platforms including Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ.

The centerpiece of the expanded schedule is a dedicated presentation of the 2026 NFL Melbourne game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams live from the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11, at 10:35 a.m. AEST.

This milestone fixture features a halftime performance by the multi-platinum Jonas Brothers presented by American Express. Additionally, ESPN Australia has extended its exclusive regional rights to NFL RedZone on Disney+, delivering over seven hours of continuous action every Monday alongside game replays and highlights.

The broadcast enhancement supports an estimated community of 8.8 million fans across Australia amid rapid regional growth.

Commenting on the agreement, NFL Australia and New Zealand GM, Charlotte Offord, said: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ESPN Australia, in what is a milestone year for the league.”

“Our partnership with ESPN is built on a shared commitment to delivering the very best NFL action to fans wherever and however they choose to watch.

“ESPN’s year-round coverage makes them an important partner as we continue to grow the game here, starting with the New England Patriots taking on the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 10.

“Together, we’re creating more opportunities to engage fans, showcase our athletes and bring the excitement of the NFL to our 8.8 million fans across Australia,” Offord said.

Echoing these sentiments, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand SVP and managingdDirector – head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, added: “We’re thrilled to offer ESPN and Disney+ viewers a prime viewing position of the landmark NFL Melbourne game taking place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.”

“It’s an unmissable moment in the sporting calendar.

“ESPN is Australia and New Zealand’s home ground for sports entertainment, with the most comprehensive coverage of the NFL including the Super Bowl.

“Building on a long-standing alliance with the NFL spanning more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand, ESPN serves millions of sports fans locally via the most widely distributed premium sports network across pay TV and streaming,” Watson-Wheeler added.

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