San Francisco 49ers to Open 2026 Season Against Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne The San Francisco 49ers will kick off the 2026 NFL season with a historic matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, September 10. The game, scheduled for 5:35 p.m. Pacific Time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, will mark the league’s first-ever regular-season game in the city. Due to the 17-hour time difference, the 49ers will take the field in Melbourne on Friday at 10:35 a.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time. The contest will be broadcast live on Thursday evening for audiences on the West Coast. This international game is part of the NFL’s 2026 season-opening schedule, which begins the night before with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the season’s first game on Wednesday, September 9 at 5:20 p.m. Pacific Time. The 49ers’ trip to Melbourne represents a significant milestone for the franchise and underscores the NFL’s ongoing efforts to expand its global footprint. Tickets for the Melbourne game will be available to the public starting Tuesday, April 7, through Ticketmaster. Fans interested in exclusive hospitality packages can begin securing their options on Monday, April 6. Additionally, travel and ticket packages are being offered through On Location. Those who submitted a Priority Access deposit via On Location will receive instructions for selecting their packages, while others can join the second round of selections by placing an Access Guaranteed deposit at the provided link. The game’s timing and location highlight the NFL’s growing presence in international markets, blending sports with cultural exchange. The 49ers’ decision to host the game in Australia aligns with the league’s strategy to attract global fans and create memorable experiences beyond traditional U.S. markets.#nfl #melbourne #los_angeles_rams #san_francisco_49ers #melbourne_cricket_ground
Seahawks to Open Week 1 on Wednesday Amid International Schedule Shift The NFL has confirmed that the Seattle Seahawks will kick off the 2026 season on a Wednesday night, deviating from the traditional Thursday night opener. This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, who will play their Week 1 game in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday night in the United States. The Seahawks’ matchup, scheduled for NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET, will mark their first Wednesday night start since 2012. The Rams and 49ers’ game in Australia will take place on Friday morning at 10:35 a.m. local time, which translates to 8:35 p.m. ET. However, the league has not yet announced the broadcast partner for this international contest. The decision to shift the Seahawks’ opener stems from the need to align with the Rams and 49ers’ game, which will be televised in the U.S. on Thursday night. This marks the first time the NFL will host a regular-season game in Australia. The Rams were announced as the host team in February 2024, with the 49ers confirmed as their opponent last month. The match will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a venue that has previously hosted major sporting events. The NFL’s decision to move the Seahawks’ opener also reflects broader scheduling adjustments. The league has historically played international games on Fridays following the season opener, such as the 2024 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil, and the 2025 game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo. However, this year’s international game in Australia cannot follow the same pattern due to a provision in the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.#los_angeles_rams #san_francisco_49ers #seattle_seahawks #melbourne_cricket_ground #sports_broadcasting_act
