LA Rams Finally Arrive in Melbourne, Still Confident in Their Unusual Travel Plan for 49ers Clash
The Rams made a brief trip before kickoff while the 49ers arrived early to adjust to a 17-hour time difference, coach Kyle Shanahan said.
- On Thursday, the Los Angeles Rams arrived in Melbourne roughly 24 hours before their Friday season opener against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, completing a 16-hour flight from California.
- While the 49ers arrived on September 4 to acclimate to the 17-hour time difference, the Rams deliberately maintained their California routine until the last possible moment, aiming to minimize travel fatigue during the nearly 8,000-mile journey.
- The Rams traveled without defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who remained inactive for Week 1, while transporting approximately 25,000 pounds of equipment packed into 90 cases across the Pacific.
- San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan dismissed travel-strategy concerns, stating, "I don't think there's an answer to that," and suggested player performance, not scheduling, would decide the game.
- Rams head coach Sean McVay holds a 3-0 record in international games with a combined 92-17 score, positioning the organization to leverage international marketing rights in Australia and New Zealand.
26 Articles
26 Articles
LA Rams finally arrive in Melbourne, still confident in their unusual
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, works out during a practice session for an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers., in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026.(AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
49ers, Rams put travel to test in season-opening showdown in Australia
The Playbook One side will be proven right. The other, wrong. It’s only the natural conclusion that we — and likely 30 other teams around the NFL — can draw from the competing travel strategies taken by the 49ers and Rams for this 8,000-mile excursion. While Kyle Shanahan was wrapping up the 49ers’ third and...
Winnipeg Free Press
LA Rams finally arrive in Melbourne, still confident in their unusual travel plan for 49ers clash
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams finally touched down in Australia just before dawn on Thursday, and they hope to head home before the sun sets Friday.
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