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Live sport on SN this weekendSan Francisco 49ers arrive in Melbourne for NFL game
AP •  September 5th, 2026 7:34 am
San Francisco 49er Trent Williams had a cameo at the MCG during Geelong's clash with Carlton | Photo: James Ross/AAP
The San Francisco 49ers have arrived in Melbourne for their season-opening NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11.
It is expected to be the first of many regular-season NFL games in front of a growing Australian fan base.
The 49ers' 200-member travelling party touched down on Friday morning after a 15-hour chartered Qantas flight and will spend a week acclimatising before facing the Rams in front of an expected sold-out crowd at the MCG.
The team wasted no time getting their first taste of the MCG with a cameo during the half-time break of the AFL elimination final round match between the Geelong Cats and the Carlton Blues on Friday night.
Earlier, they spent time with Special Olympics participants at AAMI Park and taught children some game-day chants.
The Niners arrived with injured stars George Kittle and Nick Bosa, who both returned to practice and are hoping to play in the game.
San Francisco will be without defensive end Sam Okuayinonu, who injured his foot in practice this week. Okuayinonu has been ruled out for the game. He had three sacks last season.
The Rams are scheduled to arrive on Thursday, only about 24 hours before the game.
The team's plan was to attempt to stay as close as possible to its west coast US time zone to avoid jet lag.
The game is scheduled for a Friday morning start in Australia so it can be televised on Thursday evening during prime time in the eastern United States.
