MELBOURNE — The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are preparing for a high-profile matchup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Friday. The event is nearing a complete sell-out, with millions of international viewers expected to tune in via the Netflix broadcast.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media during a Wednesday practice session, noting that his focus has remained strictly on team preparations despite the international setting. "I haven’t left the hotel, except to come to this practice, for five days or however long we’ve been here," Shanahan said, citing jet lag as a primary challenge during the team's stay.
While the coaching staff remains locked in on game-day strategy, the arrival of the NFL in Australia has generated significant local interest. The travelling American media contingent has documented the cultural exchange, offering commentary on the local lifestyle and sports landscape as the league continues its push to expand its global footprint.