"The 49ers might get their 2026 season opener in the prime-time Thursday Night Football slot. But the game will be in Melbourne, Australia, which is about a 16-hour flight each way, and Niners players are none too thrilled. NFL fans (and especially players) generally hate Thursday Night Football. That is, with the exception of the Week 1 opening game, because we've been jonesing for that shit all off-season and we'll take it any way we can get it."
"Not long after that announcement dropped Thursday, NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco confirmed that game would be Week 1, and might even be the Week 1 Thursday Night Football game. Time and date is TBA, Maiocco tweeted. It seems because of the 16-hour flight to Melbourne, the best way this works is if it's the season-opener on the Thursday of Week 1."
"That's not fair. Then the NFL, I feel, is doing us a disservice, 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk told the Bay Area News Group. Because if we're going to talk about health and safety, to do two international games like that is almost like playing three games in 13 days."
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are slated to play an international game in Melbourne, Australia, with time and date to be announced. The location requires about a 16-hour flight each way, prompting concerns from 49ers players about travel burden and player health. The matchup could be the Week 1 season-opener and occupy the prime-time Thursday Night Football slot, or possibly a special Friday night Week 1 opener. Time and date remain to be announced, and travel logistics favor a Week 1 kickoff. Players said two international games in a short span would strain recovery and safety.
Read at sfist.com
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