NFL’s First Regular-Season Game in Australia: 49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan’s Early Impressions

The San Francisco 49ers arrived in Melbourne early on Friday for the league’s inaugural regular-season matchup on Australian soil, facing the Los Angeles Rams the following Sunday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan led a 13-minute press conference on Monday, noting that his earlier concerns about the trip had eased after spending a few days in the city.

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Shanahan explained that the squad is coping with a 17-hour time difference between Melbourne and the Bay Area. Players have begun acclimating their body clocks while some explored the city, including attending an Australian Football League game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Running back Christian McCaffrey described the experience as “cool,” praising the food, coffee and atmosphere. The coaching staff has not yet reviewed injuries, as NFL rules postpone injury reports until three days before the game, which will be Monday afternoon in the United States.

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Shanahan emphasized the competitive importance of the 49ers’ 17-game schedule and framed the Australian stop as a “home game” for their fan base, despite the geographic distance. He noted that the team’s weekly plan will be organized around the differing local and U.S. days, warning that the shifting calendar could cause confusion. Shanahan also referenced his father, former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who guided a 1999 preseason game in Sydney, but said the stakes of a Week 1 division rivalry are far greater.

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• “That was just about competition and how important our 17 games are,” — Kyle Shanahan

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• “We're technically in the future from where we're from, and the Rams [who don't leave for the U.S. until later this week] are in the present,” — Kyle Shanahan

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• “When I look at my clock and it says the time and then I try to see my family's time and then it says the time, but it says yesterday, I don't even get how that's possible,” — Kyle Shanahan

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• “Yeah, that I don't see kangaroos and crocodiles everywhere,” — Kyle Shanahan

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Shanahan’s remarks suggest the 49ers view the Australian venue as an extension of their home-field advantage, relying on fan enthusiasm to offset travel challenges. The team’s ability to synchronize practice schedules across time zones will be a key factor in the week-long preparation, and the league hopes the positive player feedback will bolster future international regular-season games.

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