San Francisco 49ers adjust to playing in Melbourne for inaugural NFL game at MCG
Consensus Summary
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are preparing for the NFL’s inaugural game in Australia at the MCG on Friday, with the 49ers embracing the trip after initial skepticism. The 49ers arrived a week early to adjust to the 17-hour time difference and train at AAMI Park, while the Rams will arrive on Thursday for a single training session at Marvel Stadium. Both teams are using their London game experience as a reference, with the Rams winning 35-7 against the Jaguars last season. The NFL has a four-year contract with Victoria for two to three games annually from 2026-2029, with each game costing between 10 million and 15 million. The 49ers’ coach, Kyle Shanahan, has softened his stance, acknowledging the importance of the 17-game season and the unique opportunity to play in Melbourne. The Rams’ hit-and-run approach contrasts with the 49ers’ extended preparation, which includes late-morning practices to match the local kick-off time. The game’s success could influence future international NFL matches, with nine scheduled this season and potential expansion to 16 games annually.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The 49ers are playing 17 games in the 2026 season
- The game against the Rams is scheduled for Friday
- The 49ers are training at AAMI Park
- The Rams won 35-7 against the Jaguars in London last season
- The NFL has a four-year contract with Victoria guaranteeing two games, and up to three, from 2026-2029
- The Rams will arrive in Melbourne on Thursday
- The Rams will train at Marvel Stadium
- The game is scheduled for Friday at 10.35am (AEST)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Rams chartered a Qantas A380 for a 13,000-kilometre flight, the longest by a team in NFL history
- The 49ers arrived a week early to adjust to the 17-hour time difference with the US
- The 49ers’ first training session was on Monday at AAMI Park
- The Rams will have their only training session at Marvel Stadium
- The NFL is considering a return game next year, but it may conflict with AFL finals at the MCG
- The Rams have international marketing rights in Australia, but so do the Seahawks, Eagles, and Raiders
- The 49ers’ game plan meeting was on Monday, which Shanahan mistakenly referred to as Wednesday
- The Rams’ London game was in October, not September
- The 49ers’ first training session was at AAMI Park, with tight security and a traveling media pack
- The Rams’ London game was against the Jacksonville Jaguars, not mentioned in 7NEWS
- Shanahan initially said in March there was 'not much benefit' to playing in Australia
- The NFL has nine international matches scheduled this season
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed interest in every team playing once in a foreign market each season, totaling 16 games
- The Rams’ London game was in October, and they arrived on Saturday morning for a Sunday afternoon start
- The Rams’ preparation was influenced by their London game against the Jaguars, where they won 35-7
- The 49ers are spending a full week in Melbourne to prepare for the game
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Rams’ London game was described as 'last October' in 7NEWS, but THEAGE says 'London last season' without specifying the month
- THEAGE mentions a 'two-plus-one' deal from 2026-2029, while 7NEWS only states a four-year contract with Victoria guaranteeing two games, and up to three, without specifying the 'two-plus-one' structure
- THEAGE says the Rams’ London game was against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but 7NEWS does not specify the opponent, only that it was a 35-7 win
- THEAGE mentions the Rams’ flight was the longest by a team in NFL history, but 7NEWS does not mention this detail
Source Articles
Incredible food, great coffee – and no crocs: Why the 49ers changed their tune on Melbourne
The thought of coming to Australia to play an NFL game didn’t initially appeal to San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, but he and his team have quickly warmed to the idea.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan backflips on Australia stance ahead of inaugural MCG game
Kyle Shanahan has been buoyed by the local support in Melbourne.
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