Shanahan Reveals Rams Lobbied NFL to Send 49ers to Australia

49ers coach says Rams wanted to avoid 49ers fans taking over SoFi Stadium

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:35pm by Ben Kaplan

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that the Los Angeles Rams lobbied the NFL to have the 49ers play their season opener in Melbourne, Australia, because 49ers fans have repeatedly taken over games at SoFi Stadium. Shanahan said the Rams' request is 'bothersome' and hopes the league will let the 49ers play the Rams in Mexico City instead, since the 49ers are already having to travel internationally twice this season.

Why it matters

This move by the Rams highlights the ongoing rivalry between the two NFC West teams, as well as the challenge the 49ers face with their passionate fan base taking over opposing teams' home stadiums. The decision to send the 49ers to Australia also raises questions about the NFL's international scheduling priorities and whether teams should be able to lobby to avoid playing in front of opposing fans.

The details

Shanahan revealed the Rams' lobbying efforts during an appearance on 'PFT Live' at the NFL's annual owners meeting in Phoenix. He confirmed that the Rams made the request because 49ers fans have repeatedly taken over games at SoFi Stadium, forcing the Rams to essentially play a home game in a hostile environment. In exchange, Shanahan is hoping the league will let the 49ers play the Rams in Mexico City, since the 49ers are already having to travel internationally twice this season with the Australia game.

  • The 49ers' season opener is scheduled to be played in Melbourne, Australia in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who revealed the Rams' lobbying efforts to the NFL.

Matt LaFleur

The head coach of the Green Bay Packers, who appeared alongside Shanahan on 'PFT Live' when the topic came up.

Chris Simms

The co-host of 'PFT Live' and former NFL quarterback, who got Shanahan to confirm the Rams' motivations.

Los Angeles Rams

The NFC West rival of the 49ers, who Shanahan says lobbied the NFL to have the 49ers play their season opener in Australia.

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What they’re saying

“'I'm pretty sure the Rams lobbied for that game.'”

— Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers head coach

“'I know for a fact they did. That's what's so bothersome.'”

— Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers head coach

“'And I get that. That would suck to have to do silent cadence and to have our home game at their stadium. So I get their ambitions, but they were rewarded that. So I'm just hoping we can get our request too.'”

— Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers head coach

“'Hopefully the league will do right and let us play the Rams in Mexico. Since we got to go out of the country twice, and they requested us, I'm requesting them in Mexico.'”

— Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers head coach

What’s next

The NFL will need to decide whether to grant the 49ers' request to play the Rams in Mexico City, or if the 49ers will be stuck with two international games while the Rams only have to travel abroad once.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing rivalry between the 49ers and Rams, as well as the challenges the 49ers face with their passionate fan base taking over opposing teams' home stadiums. It also raises questions about the NFL's international scheduling priorities and whether teams should be able to lobby to avoid playing in front of opposing fans.