Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay stated on Thursday that he hopes his team will never play another game in Australia, clarifying that his reluctance stems from the grueling travel logistics rather than the host city’s reception, according to reports from ESPN Digital.
Weighing the Logistics of Global NFL Travel
The comments followed a demanding season-opening trip for the Rams, who traveled to Melbourne to face the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Los Angeles fell 27-7 in that opening-week matchup, a contest that drew intense scrutiny over preparation timelines and travel management.
While the San Francisco 49ers arrived in Australia a full week in advance to acclimate to the time zone and climate, the Rams arrived just one day prior to kickoff. Both head coaches, Sean McVay and San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan, attempted to downplay the travel disparity after the game, but the physical toll on the roster remained a talking point across the league.
“I hope we don’t ever play in Australia again,” McVay told reporters on Thursday. “Not because the atmosphere wasn’t magnificent; that would be taken out of context.”
Future International Series Implications for the Rams
Despite the head coach’s personal preference, the league’s international footprint continues to expand. The NFL maintains a multi-year agreement to stage games in Australia, and the market holds significant strategic importance for specific franchises.
Under the NFL’s Global Markets Program, the Rams are one of four franchises—alongside the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, and Las Vegas Raiders—holding official marketing rights in Australia. Because of these commercial ties and the league’s ongoing international expansion efforts, analysts note that future games involving the Rams in the region remain a distinct possibility.
For now, McVay and the Rams are shifting their focus away from the Southern Hemisphere and toward immediate domestic competition. The team prepares for a high-stakes Week 2 matchup on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants.
Historical Precedent and Upcoming Schedule
Starting a campaign with consecutive losses presents a severe historical hurdle for any championship contender. Records show that only four teams—and none since the 2007 New York Giants—have rebounded from an 0-2 start to ultimately reach the Super Bowl.
“It’s almost like trying to do the ‘Men in Black’ thing and saying, ‘Hey, I don’t remember what happened. That was a long time ago,'” McVay remarked regarding the need to move past the Melbourne defeat.
The Rams return to action against the Giants to close out Week 2, looking to secure their first victory of the season and erase the struggles of their season opener.
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