The San Francisco 49ers' international showdown with the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, is now expected to take place on either Wednesday, September 9, or Thursday, September 10, according to reporting from John Ourand of Puck, via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Initial report suggested the game would be played on a Sunday afternoon (U.S. time) during Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. That scenario would have created a difficult turnaround for both teams, given the lengthy travel to and from Australia and the quick shift into Week 2 preparation.
The updated midweek dates would make the logistics far more manageable. Playing on Sept. 9 or 10 would allow the 49ers and Rams adequate time after the preseason to prepare for the trip and sufficient recovery time upon returning to the Pacific time zone.
"It could be 49ers-Rams on Wednesday, with the Seahawks' home opener landing on Thursday," Florio wrote. "That also could flip, with the Seahawks playing on Wednesday and the Australia game happening on Thursday."
The NFL is expected to release the full 2026 NFL schedule in May, though international game dates are typically announced in advance.
In addition to the Australia matchup at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the 49ers are reportedly set to host a regular-season game in Mexico City in December 2026. If accurate, San Francisco would become the first NFL team to play multiple international games in non-consecutive weeks during the same season.
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