49ers, Rams Open Season in Historic Melbourne Showdown
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams open the 2026 regular season Thursday, Sept. 10, at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia - the NFL's first regular-season game held on Australian soil. Kickoff is set for 8:35 p.m. ET.
Both teams saw their 2025 campaigns end at the hands of the same opponent. Seattle eliminated the 49ers 41-6 in the divisional round before beating the Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship Game, denying Los Angeles a berth in Super Bowl LX. The Rams enter the new season as the outright favorite to win Super Bowl LXI, priced at +500. futsal bookmakere
Injury reports released Tuesday offered early clarity on several key names. Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who had been dealing with a core issue, was not listed on the injury report, signaling he is expected to play his usual role. On the 49ers' side, running back Christian McCaffrey also cleared the report after his status was monitored through training camp, pointing to a full workload in the opener. Tight end George Kittle was listed as a limited participant because of an Achilles issue but has practiced regularly since coming off the active/PUP list, leaving his availability for kickoff still to be determined. Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson, previously dealing with soreness, was also absent from the injury report, though his role remains unsettled with all five Rams tight ends healthy entering Week 1.
With neither team having recorded any 2026 regular-season statistics yet, health and availability heading into the opener stand as the clearest indicators of how each offense may operate in Melbourne. San Francisco and Los Angeles will look to establish early form in a game that also marks a new chapter in the NFL's international expansion.
