49ers Coach Criticizes Australia Season Opener

Shanahan voices displeasure over 49ers' first game in Sydney against Rams.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:22am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of red, gold, and navy blue.The NFL's first regular season game in Australia will test the 49ers' and Rams' ability to adapt to the logistical challenges of international competition.Los Angeles Today

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed frustration over the team's upcoming season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Sydney, Australia, calling it a less-than-ideal start to the 2026 NFL season.

Why it matters

The NFL's first regular season game in Australia is a high-profile international expansion, but Shanahan's comments highlight the logistical challenges and potential disruption to teams' normal preparation routines.

The details

Shanahan sarcastically said he's 'so fired up' for the 49ers to launch next season with the NFL's debut in Australia, against their NFC West rival Rams. The long travel and time zone changes could put the 49ers at a competitive disadvantage to start the season.

  • The 2026 NFL season will kick off with the 49ers vs. Rams game in Sydney, Australia.

The players

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Los Angeles Rams

The NFC West rival of the San Francisco 49ers.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so fired up for that, I can't even tell you.”

— Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers

The takeaway

Shanahan's comments highlight the potential challenges of the NFL's international expansion plans, as teams may struggle with the logistical hurdles of playing games outside their home markets to start the season.