NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Once again, the NFL’s opening weekend finds two teams overseas, and one of the head coaches involved doesn’t like it.
Like the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers last season in São Paulo, Brazil, the NFL has scheduled division rivals the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams to participate in the first-ever game in Australia.
49ers and Rams kick off at 10.35 local time in Melbourne on September 11, which will be at 8:35 PM ET on September 10 in the US.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan calls a play during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2025. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who was in attendance at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix on Monday, was asked by reporters about his thoughts on traveling to Australia, about a 14-hour flight, to begin his team’s season.
“I don’t see any pro,” he said bluntly.
Shanahan admitted it was “cool for the league to play globally” and even called it “awesome” that international fans get to experience American football in their countries.
RAMS, 49ERS TO MEET IN AUSTRALIA FOR HISTORIC NFL GAME AS LEAGUE ANNOUNCES DATE, TIME
But as a coach focused on his team’s health and performance, Shanahan doesn’t like the idea of starting the season overseas after a grueling training camp that determines his roster.
“But as far as the team doing it, no, there’s not a lot of upside to it. Sometimes it’s nice to get a bye the week after, but it’s not going to happen in Week 1.”
As for the time difference, Shanahan was sarcastic with his response to the San Francisco Chronicle.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan yells at an official during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (Matt Ludtke/AP Photo)
“Oh, so burned. So we go back in time or into the future? I guess we win one day or lose one day? Not sure which yet, but it is what it is. We’ll deal with it.”
Knowing the NFL isn’t going to change its mind here, Shanahan and the 49ers have no choice but to deal with the cards they have to start the year. But GM John Lynch noted the 49ers will get used to Australia’s time difference and everything else that comes with an international game by getting there days before kickoff.
Now, it is not uncommon for games to be played overseas at times to accommodate the fans at home. But playing a football match at 10.35 may be associated with challenges as games are usually played at night.
Shanahan also noted that he was “fired up” to have another international game during the 2026 season, though it’s unclear if sarcasm came into play here.
The 49ers will also be involved in the NFL’s Mexico City game in December. An opponent has not yet been named for the match, but it will be revealed in May when each team’s schedule is released.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Minneapolis. (Abbie Parr/AP Photo)
In total, the NFL will play a record nine international games during the 2026 season as the league continues to expand its global reach. There will be three games in London, while Melbourne, Mexico City, Paris, Munich, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid will also have NFL contests.
