TOUCHDOWN IN A GLASS: AUSTRALIA GETS ITS FIRST NFL WINE COLLECTION

Forget beer and sausage rolls; this NFL season, Australians will be watching gridiron with a glass of Pinot Grigio in hand.

Y Series, the official wine sponsor of the NFL in Australia and New Zealand, has launched a limited-edition NFL collection to mark the league’s first-ever regular season game on home soil, when the Melbourne Cricket Ground hosts history on September 11.

The range spans seven crowd-pleasing varietals: Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Lighter Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz, each in NFL-branded packaging and priced at a very reasonable $15. 

Better still, buying a bottle between now and New Year’s Eve puts you in the running for a trip for two to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles. 

Crafted by Hill-Smith Family Estates, Y Series has built a reputation for approachable, easy-drinking wines designed to suit every occasion.

Guided by the philosophy that there's a "Y for every why", the brand is all about bringing people together – making its partnership with the NFL a natural fit as fans prepare to celebrate one of the biggest sporting events ever to take place on Australian soil.

Karl Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Hill-Smith Family Estates, says the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Australia presents a unique opportunity for Y Series to be part of one of the year's biggest cultural and sporting moments.

"The NFL Melbourne Game coming to Australia is a huge moment for sports fans, and we're proud that Y Series will be part of how people celebrate it," he says.

"Whether it's gathering friends for a watch party, heading to Melbourne for the game or simply enjoying the atmosphere surrounding the event, this partnership is about creating memorable moments and giving fans another way to connect with the excitement. That's exactly the sort of occasion Y Series was made for."

To help fans get Game Day ReadY, Y Series has paired its wines with some of the season's most iconic NFL occasions.

From Prosecco for a brunch-style kick-off and Pinot Grigio for halftime bites to Shiraz alongside smoky barbecue favourites, the collection has been designed to complement game day energy. 

Y Series will also bring the partnership to life when the NFL makes history at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on September 11 with limited-edition Y Series cans for fans to enjoy during the game and at the three-day NFL Kickoff Festival in Melbourne Park.

Celebrations will continue across the NFL Kickoff Festival, a three-day fan event running from September 10 to 12.

Featuring immersive experiences, NFL exhibits, Flag Football clinics, live music, and family-friendly activities, the festival will transform Melbourne into the home of NFL fandom in celebration of Australia hosting its first regular-season NFL game.

As the official wine partner of the NFL in Australia and New Zealand, Y Series will activate at the Kickoff Festival, offering wine and football fans a space to kick back with a glass of wine, enjoy a fun photo moment, and participate in Spin to Win.

Beyond kick-off week in Melbourne, Y Series is also giving fans the opportunity to celebrate season-long with the chance to win the ultimate NFL experience.

From August 1 to December 31, 2026, by purchasing any Y Series wines from Dan Murphy's or BWS, consumers can enter the draw for the chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.

Alongside the major prize, 100x $100 instant-win NFL Shop Australia vouchers will also be up for grabs.

Charlotte Offord, NFL General Manager – Australia and New Zealand, says partnerships

like Y Series help bring the NFL experience closer to Australian fans.

"The NFL's presence in Australia continues to grow, and partnerships like Y Series play an

important role in helping us create meaningful local experiences for our fans," she says.

" Together, we're giving Australians more ways to connect with the game and be part of the excitement surrounding the NFL Melbourne Game and beyond."

Whether fans are attending the game at the MCG, exploring the NFL Kickoff Festival or hosting their own watch party at home, Y Series is helping Australians get Game Day ReadY .

The Y Series x NFL limited-edition range will be available nationally from September at Dan Murphy's, BWS, Liquorland, and independent retailers (RRP $15).

About Y Series

Launched in 2002 by the Hill-Smith Family, Y Series was created to bring great wine minus the fuss - just easy-going, flavour-packed varietals, for any occasion.

Since then, it’s been the brand’s mission to keep wine approachable, expressive, and never too serious. From the iconic Y Series Pinot Grigio to bold, juicy reds and refreshing bubbles, Y Series proves that great wine doesn’t need to be complicated.

Crafted by one of Australia’s most respected family-owned producers, the Y Series wine range champions accessibility and consistency - making it a go-to choice for anyone seeking approachable wine Australia can rely on Y Series.

About the NFL in Australia & New Zealand

With more than 8.8 million passionate fans throughout the region, the NFL has a growing

presence in Australia and is committed to investing in the development of the game year-round across the entire Asia-Pacific.

The NFL opened its Australia office in 2022; officially launched a national Flag Football program in 2023; opened the NFL APAC Academy in 2024; and has established a strong annual calendar of fan events across the country, culminating in the announcement of the first-ever regular season NFL game being played in Melbourne on September 11, 2026.