The 49ers Set to Embark on the NFL’s Longest Road Trip for the Season Opener in Australia
The team is managing visas, passports and recovery plans for an 8,000-mile trip that will test player readiness, coaches said.
- The San Francisco team departs California tonight for Melbourne, Australia, to face the Los Angeles Rams in the season opener on an approximately 8,000-mile flight taking about 16 hours across the international dateline.
- Both the Niners and the Rams studied the process intently in the offseason, sending advance staffers to Australia to assess time-zone adjustment; they adopted contrasting strategies for the Sept. 11 game.
- General manager John Lynch credited the logistics team for handling complex tasks like visa procurement, calling it "a monumental task." The front office finalized the 53-player roster this week before departing.
- While the Rams plan to arrive about 24 hours before kickoff to minimize jet lag, Niners defensive lineman Keion White embraces the challenge, planning to explore Melbourne after team meetings to establish a normal sleep schedule.
- Following their arrival, the Niners will hold a light practice on Saturday, take Sunday off, then conduct three practices Monday through Wednesday before the opener. They depart immediately after and return to the Bay Area on Friday.
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The 49ers set to embark on the NFL's longest road trip for the se
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Keion White celebrates after a sack during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026}, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Associated Press News
The 49ers set to embark on the NFL's longest road trip for the season opener in Australia
The San Francisco 49ers are set for the longest road trip in NFL history. They were set to leave the Bay Area for the approximately 8,000-mile trip to Melbourne, Australia, for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 11.
49ers set to embark on NFL's longest road trip for season opener in Australia
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility on July 27, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
49ers set to embark on season’s longest road trip for opener in Australia
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers got instructions for how to prepare for the longest road trip in NFL history as they get set to depart the Bay Area for Melbourne, Australia, late Wednesday night for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams next week. They were given advice on how to eat and hydrate, what […]
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