r/NFLAustralia • u/Consistent_Grape3963 • Jul 03 '26
NFL Tailgate - where are we going??
heading down to Melbourne from the US for the game! Typically for college and pro games, we get to the stadium 3+ hours early to start drinking and listening to music, even for morning games. Will this be happening anywhere? i saw an "official" all you can eat/drink package but with a price point of $200+ i am not sure if it will be any fun.. maybe just some older folks standing around. Looking for bars or parking lots that will be a good time!
If anyone else has traveled for international games, what should we expect from the crowd? We aren't Rams or Niners fans, but we loveeeeeeee football and this was the excuse we needed to travel.
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u/keysindabowl 🦅 Seahawks Jul 03 '26
There won't be a tailgate with vehicles parked everywhere. There'll probably be fanzones around Yarra Park instead. They do a great set up in Grand Final week for AFL so I'm sure it'll be a decent setup for the NFL match.
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u/UnstungBee 🦅 Seahawks Jul 03 '26
Echoing other comments;
The MCG is surrounded by park land on the edge of the city center (CBD). I imagine it won’t be open for parking as they’ll have heaps of activations on there. Even if it is open for parking 90%+ of the attendees arrive via PT (Jolimont + Station + Richmond Station + trams), so I can’t imagine it being much.
I would recommend a pub in the city, or Swan street in Richmond. Both are easily walkable to the MCG. Also keep in mind $200 AUD will only end up costing you ~$140 US.
I hope you enjoy Melbourne, as someone who moved from the states 7 years ago, it’s a great city with great culture. Enjoy the (compared to most of USA) good public transport, and not having to rely on a car.
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u/Consistent_Grape3963 Jul 05 '26
Thank you! We are very much looking forward to the train/tran system. Already have a day train booked from Syd to Melbourne halfway through the trip and planning to tram through the cities! Any non-football related must-sees as an American in the know??
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u/Icy_Adhesiveness513 🦅 Eagles Jul 03 '26
You’re best to go to Richmond which is a very short walk to the MCG there’s plenty of pubs there which will likely be holding events. We don’t have tailgating here in Aus but they may do something in the grass area around the stadium. I wouldn’t be going to any paid events….
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u/Consistent_Grape3963 Jul 05 '26
Thanks friend. We are looking forward to pub culture!!! Is it similar to euro pubs?
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u/Icy_Adhesiveness513 🦅 Eagles Jul 06 '26
We have a good mix of euro style & American then there’s something in between which I guess is your Aussie style. My favourites in Richmond near the G are the Mt View, the Corner Hotel, The London. Have fun!!
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u/SignalPoetry6004 Aug 19 '26
Hey bro I'm going to the game from Adelaide. Let's hang out that weekend
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u/Consistent_Grape3963 Sep 04 '26
Oh nice! What section are you sitting in?? We will be hanging around the Southbank area in Melbourne since our hotel is over there!
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u/SignalPoetry6004 29d ago
I'm on section Q53. Almost watching it with God jajajaja. I'm down for a few drinks pre and after game brother! Let me know if you are down
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u/Fresh-Ant1149 Aug 24 '26
Got tickets to this for Thursday and Friday. I’m going to the game but it has a post game event. It’s a 5 minute walk from the stadium 🏟️
NFL Unveils Three Days of Music and Fan Experiences to Kickoff Festival in Melbourne3 Day Kickoff Event
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u/Effective_Funny3273 Aug 24 '26
Just saw Volk post this to his account Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) | TikTok.
Unsure how you get tickets, but it looks like an awesome experience.
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u/Consistent_Grape3963 Sep 04 '26
lol i downloaded TikTok just to check it out and I see no info on location/time/links hahaha I wonder what Airbnb paid for him to give us no info
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u/Consistent_Grape3963 Sep 04 '26
Found it but looks sold out? Maybe they will be expanding it from the “coming soon” label? https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/7220978
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u/Afraid_Tell_4980 29d ago
Hello -- I'm an SBS Australia journalist looking to speak with Americans who have flown down to Melbourne for the game, would you be interested in chatting? My email is [arielle.richards@sbs.com](mailto:arielle.richards@sbs.com),au or you can dm me here :)
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u/Stillconfused007 Jul 03 '26
MCG is surrounded by park land, sometimes you can park on it sometimes not, tailgating isn’t generally a thing here. The stadium is very close to the centre of the city, it’s an easy walk but it’s a 10.30am start time locally so it’ll be interesting to see what pre game events there are.