San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed strong displeasure about the team's upcoming trip to Australia for the 2026 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Speaking at the NFL's annual league meetings, Shanahan dismissed any potential advantages of the 19- to 20-hour flight to Melbourne for a Week 1 matchup.

Shanahan emphasized that while global expansion benefits the league, it offers little upside for the team. The 49ers face a grueling travel schedule with no bye week following the international game, set for Thursday, September 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET (Friday, September 11 at 10:35 a.m. local time). The team will play at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and immediately return to the Bay Area afterward.

General manager John Lynch acknowledged the challenges of being a high-profile team with star players, noting the league's preference for featuring them in prime-time and international slots. The Rams, as the home team, plan to arrive closer to game time than the 49ers, who are expected to arrive in Australia five to seven days early. With two of nine international games scheduled for 2026, Shanahan's sarcasm about being 'fired up' underscores the team's frustration with the demanding travel requirements.