The San Francisco 49ers have embraced their time in Melbourne, Australia, ahead of their season-opening game against the Los Angeles Rams. Coach Kyle Shanahan, initially hesitant about the international trip, has shifted his perspective after arriving in the host city.
"After being here for a couple days, this is the right time to be here, it’s the right place to be and it’s the right team to go against," Shanahan said. The Rams, as the designated home team, initially chose to play the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia. However, by bringing the 49ers along, they may have inadvertently surrendered the usual advantage of having their fanbase present.
Shanahan noted that the 49ers typically benefit from a significant presence of their fans in Los Angeles, which he referred to as an "advantage of having one, I see it as one home game a year in LA." He expressed disappointment at forfeiting that advantage but anticipates a strong showing from 49ers faithful in Melbourne. "But knowing how our fans roll, I have a feeling they won’t be much different here. I expect to have a good showing."
The massive 95,000-seat Melbourne Cricket Ground is unlikely to be dominated by fans traveling from San Francisco or Los Angeles. Instead, the energy is expected to come from local Australian fans. The 49ers have actively engaged with the local culture since arriving on Friday, a full week before kickoff. Players participated in a flag football clinic and some attended an Australian Rules Football match. Linebacker Fred Warner expressed his enjoyment of the city, even adopting the local pronunciation "Mel-bin."
"It’s been great. The coffee’s unbelievable," said running back Christian McCaffrey. The team has also engaged in various community events, including a cheerleading dance that set a world record with 1,424 participants. 49ers players have been featured in city decorations, and Flinders Street Station was illuminated in the team's colors.
In contrast, the Rams' approach to the trip has been minimal. Head coach Sean McVay plans to have his team in and out of Australia in less than 36 hours. This brief stay, which Shanahan suggested might indicate a lack of enthusiasm for being there, stands in stark opposition to the 49ers' week-long immersion.
The Australian government reportedly invested approximately $45 million to host the NFL games. The 49ers, who consider themselves "the globe’s team," are leveraging this opportunity for extensive promotion. While the Rams were granted rights to the Australian market by the NFL in 2022, the 49ers, historically popular in Australia due to past dynasties, have seen their presence amplified this week. This extensive engagement could lead to the 49ers effectively playing in a de facto home game, even thousands of miles from San Francisco.