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Rams Join 49ers in Melbourne Ahead of Australia's First NFL Game
The NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia draws more than 100,000 fans and tests both teams’ travel plans and preparation.
- On Friday, September 11, 2026, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before nearly 100,000 fans.
- Seeking to optimize game readiness, the 49ers arrived in Melbourne a week early to acclimate to the time difference, while the Rams opted for a 'fly in, fly out' strategy, landing roughly 28 hours before kickoff .
- Defensive end Myles Garrett made his Rams debut in Melbourne, though the team kept 35-year-old Aaron Donald in California to manage his return from retirement .
- Despite the 27-7 defeat, Rams head coach Sean McVay praised the atmosphere but expressed reluctance about returning, stating the 16-hour flight presented significant challenges .
- The match marks the first of three scheduled for Melbourne over four years, representing the NFL's long-term commitment to Australia despite the 16,000-kilometre trek .
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Which is why NFL coach Sean McVay from the Los Angeles Rams upsets the Australians, and which expression could prove to be a boomerang.
·Berlin, Germany
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Sean McVay: 'We're not playing in Australia ever again'
In the lead-up to last week’s season-opening game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, a lot was made of the Rams’ decision to arrive in Australia just one day before the game. That didn’t seem to work out well for the Rams, and it sounds like head coach…
‘Made Me Jealous’: NFL Reporter Praises Melbourne’s Sporting Precinct After Historic Clash
General view of play during the NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 11, 2026. (Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources123
Leaning Left37Leaning Right18Center38Last UpdatedBias Distribution41% Center
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
41% Center
L 40%
C 41%
R 19%
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