San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has bluntly dismissed the NFL’s decision to open the 2026 season in Melbourne, Australia, calling it unprofessional for players.
"I don’t see any pro," Shanahan said, addressing the 14-hour flight and extreme time shift that disrupts player recovery and preparation after a grueling training camp.
While acknowledging the league’s global ambitions as "awesome" for international fans, Shanahan emphasized the lack of tangible benefit to team performance. "There’s not much benefit to it," he said. "Sometimes it’s nice to get a bye week after, but doesn’t happen in Week 1."
The 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on Sept. 11 at 10:35 a.m. local time - 8:35 p.m. ET on Sept. 10 - an unusual kickoff window for a sport built around evening games.
Shanahan mocked the time-zone confusion: "Oh, so fired up. So, we’re going back in time or into the future? I think we gain a day or lose a day? Not sure which one yet."
GM John Lynch confirmed the team will arrive early to adjust, but Shanahan remains unconvinced. The 49ers will also play in Mexico City in December.
The NFL will host nine international games in 2026, including matches in London, Paris, Munich, Rio, and Madrid.