Rams fly in about 24 hours before MCG to avoid trans-Pacific jet lag
The LA Rams arrived in Melbourne Thursday morning, just 24 hours before their regular-season game against San Francisco.
The San Francisco 49ers and LA Rams play at the MCG on Friday. Nearly 100,000 people will watch.
This is a historic moment for the NFL. It is the first regular-season game played in Australia.
The 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers' fans typically take over the Rams' home stadium at SoFi. He expects something similar in Melbourne.
The Rams took an unusual approach. They flew in Thursday morning after a 16-hour flight across the Pacific.
The flight covered 12,748 kilometres. The Rams' fly-in fly-out plan aims to reduce jet lag and keep players sharp for the match.
Whether the strategy works will become clear from Friday's result. We will also see how the Rams perform in their next few games.
- 12,748 kilometres
- Flight distance
- Nearly 100,000 people
- Expected crowd
- 16 hours
- Flight duration
- MCG
- Venue
Why it mattersThe Rams bet their performance on avoiding jet lag. This gamble could change how international sports teams prepare for long-haul travel.
AustraliaMelbourne hosts a record NFL crowd and glimpses how Australian fans respond to American football without local teams to root for.
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