"The early-season deal bookends Netflix's current broadcast relationship with the NFL, which has included two games on Christmas Day the past two seasons and will continue in December 2026," Marchand wrote. "Fox will air a third Christmas game in prime time."
There had been earlier speculation that YouTube could carry the 49ers-Rams international matchup, which is scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, it now appears Netflix has secured the rights to the Week 1 NFC West clash.
In March, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan reacted to the league's decision to send the team to Australia for the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in the country.
"I was so fired up. That was our goal, to go 19 hours away to play a game," Shanahan said sarcastically. "I think we're going back in time or into the future. I think we gain a day or lose a day—I'm not sure which one yet.
"But it is what it is. We'll deal with it. I think there's eight international games. We got two of them, so I'm fired up about that."
The 49ers will also play a second international game in 2026, with a matchup in Mexico City reportedly scheduled for Week 11.
Shanahan later insisted that the Rams requested to face the 49ers in Australia to prevent the rival fanbase from taking over SoFi Stadium, as it regularly does for the yearly matchup in Southern California.
"I know for a fact they did, and that's what's so bothersome," Shanahan said. "Hopefully, the league will do right and let us play the Rams in Mexico, since we've gotta go out of the country twice, and they requested us. I'm requesting them in Mexico—not that that gives us an advantage, it's just fair to make them go out of the country [twice]."
He added, "And I get that. That would suck to have to do silent cadence and have our home game at their stadium, so I get their ambitions, but they were rewarded that. So I'm just hoping we can get our request still. I'd love for them to come to Mexico."
The NFL's full 2026 schedule is expected to be released soon, confirming dates, kickoff times, and broadcast assignments for the upcoming season.
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