By Blessing 
The NFL made headlines on Wednesday by announcing that Melbourne, Australia, will host a regular-season game in 2026. The Los Angeles Rams have already been confirmed as the home team, but their opponent hasn’t been determined yet. One possibility? The Detroit Lions.
The matchup will depend on how both teams finish the 2025 season. If the Lions win the NFC North and the Rams top the NFC West, they’ll face each other in 2026. However, even if that scenario plays out, the league will ultimately decide which team travels to Australia.
Currently, only two teams have official marketing rights in Australia: the Rams and the Eagles. Still, that doesn’t guarantee exclusivity. The NFL has previously sent teams without marketing rights to international locations. The Lions could very well be part of that mix, especially since they recently gained rights in four different countries. Adding Australia to that list wouldn’t be a stretch.
While Lions fans haven’t always been thrilled about international games, it seems inevitable that Detroit will eventually play overseas. Countries like Germany, with ties to star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, or Canada, given its proximity and strong Lions fan base, have often been seen as logical destinations.
If Australia ends up hosting the Lions, it would be a groundbreaking opportunity for the franchise and a chance to expand its growing global presence.