Supporters wearing San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams jerseys streamed towards the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday morning as Australia prepared to host its first regular-season NFL game.
The historic clash, which kicks off at 10.35am local time, has drawn a strikingly large crowd, with fans visible on trains, along the route to the stadium and inside the MCG precinct.
San Francisco jerseys appeared to be particularly prominent, with Brock Purdy’s shirt among the most frequently seen as the 49ers’ travelling support gathered around the ground. The NFL has previously identified San Francisco as the most-supported team in Australia.
The crowd has also provided a snapshot of the league’s international reach. More than 10 teams were represented among early arrivals, including supporters wearing shirts from franchises not involved in Friday’s game.
Some fans arrived in vintage or unusual apparel, including a Baltimore Ravens jersey from the Reebok era, reflecting the depth of interest in the sport beyond the two teams taking part.
The contest between the Rams and 49ers is the first NFL regular-season fixture to be staged in Australia and forms part of the league’s international series. The MCG has been prepared to accommodate a crowd of more than 100,000 for the landmark event.
Fans were advised to arrive early, with security screening and ticket checks taking place before entry to the stadium. The wider NFL Stadium Campus in Yarra Park opened from 7am, adding to the build-up around the ground.
For many in the crowd, the spectacle began long before the players took to the field, with team colours and jerseys turning Melbourne’s public transport network and streets into a display of the NFL’s growing Australian following.
