The highly anticipated news of Aaron Donald’s return to the football field for the Los Angeles Rams is finally official.
After two seasons away from the game, the former three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has come out of retirement to rejoin his team as they prepare to open the 2026 season against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Melbourne Game on Sept. 10, live on Netflix.
Netflix Sports’ Tom Pelissero confirmed the news. Donald will now team up with reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to form a powerful duo on the defensive line for the Rams.
An eight-time NFL All-Pro defensive tackle and 10-time Pro Bowl selection, Donald retired in 2024 after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Considered one of the greatest defensive players of all time, Donald amassed 337 tackles and 111 sacks in his 10 seasons with the Rams.
The Rams and 49ers kick off at 8:35 p.m. ET / 5:35 p.m. PT on Sept. 10 live from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
To watch the NFL Melbourne Game, you’ll just need an active Netflix subscription — the game is included in all plans. Once you’re signed in on any supported device, simply open Netflix and select the NFL Melbourne Game stream to start watching.
Netflix sports host Elle Duncan leads the pregame, halftime, and postgame studio coverage that includes a trio of Super Bowl winners: Hall of Fame wide receiver and host of The White House Michael Irvin, former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Nick Foles, and six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews III.
In-game coverage of the NFL Melbourne Game features Sports Emmy winner Noah Eagle on play-by-play and 2026 Hall of Fame inductee and former Carolina Panthers All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly making his debut as booth analyst.
The award-winning duo Tom Pelissero and MJ Acosta-Ruiz will handle sideline reporting duties.
Netflix adds to its plate the NFL’s first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game on Nov. 25, featuring the Green Bay Packers visiting the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Continuing the Christmas Day tradition, Netflix will again air two games on Dec. 25: The Green Bay Packers visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, followed by the Buffalo Bills against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Also new for this NFL season is a Week 18 game on Netflix. That’ll be the final weekend of the regular season, with playoffs on the line.
In addition to the on-field action, Netflix will globally stream the NFL Honors, which showcases the league’s annual awards presentation during the week of the Super Bowl.
Netflix continues to bolster its NFL content, headlined by the return of the documentary series Quarterback. This season features Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders, Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans, and Joe Flacco of the Cincinnati Bengals.
The legacy of the Dallas Cowboys is explored through two lenses: the high-stakes auditions in America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the ’90s dynasty chronicled in America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys.
Rounding out the collection is the Emmy-nominated Elway, highlighting John Elway’s legendary transition from Hall of Fame quarterback to becoming the Denver Broncos’ general manager.
