Rams stay home while 49ers head Down Under early for historic Melbourne opener

The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are set to face each other in an unprecedented season opener, playing nearly 8,000 miles away from home in Melbourne, Australia. While the 49ers have arrived in Australia, the Rams will spend time practicing in their home base of Woodland Hills before departing for the game.

The 49ers have chosen to depart nine days before kickoff, arriving in Melbourne on a flight that covers 7,855 miles and spans over 15 hours. This allows them ample time to adjust to the 17-hour time difference and acclimate to the local environment. The team is scheduled to hold a light workout on Saturday, take Sunday off, and then resume normal practice on Monday.

Conversely, the Rams have adopted a more aggressive strategy. They will remain in Southern California through Tuesday, practicing at their facility in Woodland Hills on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. By doing so, they aim to maintain their regular schedule and minimize the disruption caused by jet lag. The Rams are expected to travel to Melbourne on Wednesday, arriving approximately 24 hours before kickoff.

Both teams will hold media sessions following their respective practices to address any injury concerns or player availability. The highly anticipated game is scheduled for Friday, September 11, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which can accommodate approximately 100,000 spectators. The match will be broadcast live in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 10, at 5:35 p.m. Pacific time.