49ers, Rams to Open 2026 NFL Season in Melbourne

The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will open the 2026 NFL season with a divisional matchup in Melbourne, Australia, on September 11 local time, marking the league's first regular-season game Down Under. The contest, set for 10:35 a.m. at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, corresponds to 8:35 p.m. ET on September 10 in the United States, highlighting the significant time zone shift teams will face.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed skepticism about the arrangement during a news conference at the NFL's annual league meetings in Phoenix on Monday. He described the roughly 15-hour flight as a logistical hurdle with little upside for his team, particularly since it involves a rival from the same state. "I was so fired up. That was our goal, to go 19 hours away to play a game," Shanahan said, his tone laced with sarcasm. He joked about the time difference, adding, "I think we're going back in time or into the future. I think we gain a day or lose a day. I'm not sure which one yet."

Shanahan acknowledged the value of international expansion for the NFL but emphasized the challenges for players and staff. "It's cool for the league to play globally. I think that's...