San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams jerseys have filled Melbourne’s trains, streets and the approaches to the Melbourne Cricket Ground as supporters gather for the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia.
The Week One contest, being staged at the MCG on Friday, September 11, is expected to draw more than 100,000 spectators and marks the first time the league has taken a regular-season fixture to Australian soil.
Long before the gates opened, fans were already making their allegiances clear. Brock Purdy’s 49ers jersey appeared to be the most common choice, reflecting the NFL’s assessment that San Francisco is the best-supported team in Australia.
Supporters of more than 10 franchises were also spotted around the stadium, underlining the breadth of interest generated by the event. Among the less usual sights was a Baltimore Ravens shirt bearing the name of Terrell Suggs from the period when Reebok produced official NFL jerseys.
NFL Melbourne game draws fans from across Australia
The crowd has included early arrivals wearing the colours of teams not involved in the match, with the international fixture providing an opportunity for followers from across the sport to attend a live game at one of Melbourne’s most recognisable sporting venues.
The 49ers travelled to Melbourne with a large party after a long-haul flight and have spent the week preparing for the historic meeting. San Francisco’s official schedule lists the fixture as a 5.35pm start on Thursday, September 10, Pacific time, which corresponds to Friday morning in Melbourne.
The Rams are the designated home team for the contest, while the MCG has introduced specific NFL gameday arrangements for the occasion. The stadium is hosting the fixture as part of the league’s wider international expansion.
For some spectators, the day has been as much about displaying an unusual or treasured jersey as watching the game itself. Even media members have had to leave their own shirts at home: NFL apparel is not permitted under the terms of the media passes issued for the event.
