Overview
- Multiple reports cite John Ourand of Puck in saying the Rams-49ers game in Melbourne is slated for Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9, or Thursday, Sept. 10.
- The date chosen for Australia would determine whether the Super Bowl champion Seahawks open on Wednesday or retain the customary Thursday slot on NBC.
- The Rams are listed as the home team for the Melbourne Cricket Ground matchup, while ESPN’s John Sutcliffe reports the 49ers will host a separate game in Mexico City in December.
- The NFL is meeting with streaming platforms about rights to the Melbourne game and other international contests whose rights reverted to the league after the NFL Network/ESPN merger.
- Scheduling aims to mitigate a roughly 14–16 hour flight and about a 19-hour time change, with estimates suggesting the 49ers could log more than 38,000 miles if both international dates are finalized.