Anthem Performers Set for Historic Rams-49ers Game at the MCG
Indiadailyupdate.com – The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will take the field at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11 for the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia, with a cross-Pacific lineup of performers opening the occasion. Australian artist Cody Simpson will sing the Australian national anthem, while New York sibling band Infinity Song will perform the U.S. national anthem.
Kickoff is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. AEST. The matchup gives fans at the MCG the chance to see two California franchises compete in an event designed to mark a major step in the NFL’s international schedule.
Cody Simpson Represents Australia
Simpson, who has connections to both Australia and California, will lead the pregame ceremony with Australia’s anthem. He became internationally known as a teenager after signing with Atlantic Records, then stepped away from music for a period to pursue competitive swimming.
That sporting chapter included representing Australia at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. His return to the music world now brings him to one of Australia’s best-known sporting venues for an NFL event with particular personal relevance.
“As both a proud Aussie and proud Californian, I’m excited to be singing the Australian National Anthem at the upcoming first-ever regular season NFL game played on Australian soil. Growing up between Australia and the United States, I’ve followed the NFL for years and have also been to many sporting events at the iconic MCG, so I’m excited to witness and be a part of this unique spectacle. And to watch two epic California teams battle it out, including my local Los Angeles Rams! See you there.”
The selection reflects the unusual makeup of the game itself: an American football contest between teams from California being staged in one of Australia’s most recognizable stadiums. Simpson’s experience living between the two countries makes him a fitting figure for the opening moment.
Infinity Song to Perform the U.S. Anthem
Infinity Song will follow with the U.S. national anthem before the Rams and 49ers begin play. The group consists of siblings Abraham, Angel, Israel and Momo Boyd, and has built its profile around closely blended vocals and a sound that incorporates rock alongside other musical influences.
The band’s appearance also carries cultural significance. Infinity Song has drawn attention as a Black family group working across rock and pop, genres in which Black artists have often received less visibility despite their deep influence on modern music. Momo Boyd has spoken about the experience of being a Black woman in the industry and the difficulty of finding room within those spaces.
“It’s an incredible honor to perform the U.S. National Anthem as the 49ers and Rams take the field in Melbourne. The anthem is such an important part of the tradition and anticipation leading into a game, and there’s something really powerful about that moment before kickoff when an entire stadium comes together in song and celebration. We’re thrilled to be part of such a special day for the NFL and its fans in Australia.”
For viewers in the stadium, the two anthems will frame the start of a game that links American football’s established traditions with a new audience in Australia. Anthem performances are a familiar part of NFL game days, but the Melbourne setting gives the ceremony a different scale and meaning.
Entertainment Continues Beyond the Pregame Ceremony
The musical program will not end at kickoff. During a break in the game, the cast of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, currently playing in Melbourne, will perform “Sweet Caroline.” The song has long been associated with crowd singalongs, making it a natural choice for a large live sporting event.
The Jonas Brothers are scheduled to headline the halftime show. Their performance forms part of the NFL’s wider international entertainment plans for the 2026 season, which include halftime presentations in several countries.
Together, the performers give the event an entertainment mix spanning Australian pop, American vocal harmonies, musical theatre and arena-ready pop music. The approach underscores that the Melbourne game is intended as more than a standard road fixture; it is a showcase occasion for fans attending the NFL’s regular-season debut on Australian soil.
A Landmark Day for the NFL in Australia
The game’s main attraction remains the on-field meeting between the Rams and 49ers, two teams from the same state with a long-standing NFL rivalry. At the MCG, however, the contest takes on a broader importance as the league stages its first regular-season game in Australia.
For Australian fans, the event offers a chance to experience an NFL game-day atmosphere in person, from the anthems and halftime performance to the spectacle surrounding kickoff. For the league, it places a regular-season contest in a market where the sport’s audience can engage directly with one of its biggest traditions.
Simpson and Infinity Song will set the tone before the action begins, bringing Australian and U.S. voices together for a game built around the meeting of those two sporting cultures. Once the anthems conclude, the Rams and 49ers will make history at the MCG.
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