49ers and Rams Use Contrasting Strategies to Overcome Jet Lag in Australia

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 10, 2026

The San Francisco 49ers arrived in Melbourne a week early to adjust to the time difference ahead of their NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, who opted to leave Southern California less than two days before kickoff. Their contrasting strategies highlight different approaches to managing jet lag and could influence how future international NFL games handle travel and rest challenges.

The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are employing contrasting strategies to manage jet lag ahead of their upcoming NFL game in Melbourne, Australia, the league’s first regular-season contest held in the country. The two division rivals will face off Friday morning local time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with kickoff occurring Thursday evening in their hometown of Southern California.

The 49ers arrived in Melbourne a full week before the game, aiming to give players ample time to adjust to the significant time difference and establish a routine similar to a typical game week. Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted the complexity of the time shift, admitting that synchronizing local time in Australia with family schedules back home was disorienting. “I feel like I’m in the future,” Shanahan said while speaking to reporters. He expressed confidence that five days was sufficient for players to recalibrate their internal clocks.

In contrast, Rams coach Sean McVay and his team remained in Southern California until late Tuesday night, departing roughly 27 hours before kickoff. Their approach centers on minimizing disruption to players’ sleep cycles by keeping them on West Coast time for as long as possible before arrival. McVay’s decision not to arrive earlier contrasts sharply with the 49ers’ plan, reflecting differing philosophies on addressing the challenges posed by long-haul travel and a nearly 18-hour time difference.

Both teams face the broader implications of travel fatigue and circadian rhythm disruption, which can affect athletic performance beyond typical pregame considerations such as turnovers or penalties. Shanahan acknowledged that the game could serve as a valuable case study for future international NFL contests, noting that analysts will likely examine the impact of travel and rest strategies on the outcome. “The real thing that’s going to help this game the most or hurt this game the most is who plays better football,” he added.

As the two teams prepare to compete in a historic setting, the effectiveness of their divergent preparations will command attention from coaches, players, and observers alike. The matchup not only will test their on-field abilities but also may influence how professional football teams approach international games and long-distance travel in the future.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.