Australian broadcaster Seven Network has strengthened its partnership with the NFL, securing an expanded package of free-to-air rights through the 2025 season.
The deal extends Seven’s existing coverage of two Sunday afternoon NFL games each week (airing Monday mornings in Australia) and adds the coveted Thursday Night Football slot, which will be shown locally on Fridays. This new addition brings up to 17 more live games each year.
Seven will also exclusively broadcast the season opener between the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, September 5 (Australian time). The matchup will be of particular interest to local fans, as Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata became only the second Australian to win a Super Bowl last season.
As part of the expanded arrangement, Seven will air every NFL playoff game and the Super Bowl, amounting to more than 60 fixtures per season. Coverage will continue across Channel 7, 7mate, and the 7plus streaming platform.
Beyond live games, fans can expect a range of additional NFL programming, including documentaries, highlights, delayed replays, and coverage of key league events such as the annual NFL Draft.
NFL Australia and New Zealand general manager Charlotte Offord emphasised the importance of free-to-air coverage:
“Providing free-to-air NFL content remains a top priority, with a fan base of 7.5 million and growing across the country.”
Seven’s audience numbers reflect this growth. The 2025 Super Bowl drew 892,000 viewers nationally — an 11% increase from the previous year — while overall NFL coverage reached 4.7 million Australians during the 2024 season, a 6% year-on-year rise.
The league’s commitment to Australia will go beyond television. From 2026, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host at least one regular-season NFL game annually as part of a multi-year agreement with the Victorian Government. The Los Angeles Rams, one of two franchises with marketing rights in Australia under the NFL’s Global Markets Program, will serve as the designated home team for the inaugural match.
With more live broadcasts, increased accessibility, and an upcoming Melbourne-based fixture, the NFL’s footprint in Australia looks set for its biggest expansion yet.
Partner With Us
Want to feature your brand, business, or service on 365247 — Whether you’re looking to sponsor, collaborate, or build presence within our ecosystem, we’d love to explore it with you.
Submit your Interest Here
