When the Los Angeles Rams take the field in Melbourne, Australia, for their Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in 2026, they'll be making history—and facing one of the longest road trips in NFL history. Defensive lineman Kobie Turner knows exactly what that journey entails, having already made the trek Down Under last year before the game was even announced.
"I'm also happy that it's Game 1 because that flight is no joke—that 16 hours there and 16 back," Turner shared on Good Morning Football. "To be able to get that out of the way early on Game 1, and to be able to have a full week's worth of rest is also going to be huge."
Turner visited Australia in 2025 and got a firsthand look at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the historic venue that will host the NFL's first regular-season game in the country. While the 16-hour flight from Southern California is daunting, he's embracing the challenge—and the opportunity to be part of something unprecedented.
"What an awesome opportunity to bring the NFL and to bring the game of football to a country that's never had a game before and to be the pioneers, the first people to really bring this experience live to Australia," he said.
The Rams are still working out their travel logistics. Head coach Sean McVay has indicated the team will aim to keep the trip as short as possible, likely arriving after the 49ers—a departure from their usual routine of flying out the day before a road game. While they won't land two weeks early, they'll need to plan carefully to combat jet lag and fatigue.
For Turner, the stakes go beyond just winning. He sees a chance to leave a lasting legacy in a new football market.
"There's a chance you have a great game there, within the Australian fanbase, you're kind of immortalized because we're the first people to play the game there," he added. "So super excited to go down there."
Kickoff is set for 10:35 a.m. local time on Friday in Melbourne—a prime-time slot that will have fans on both sides of the Pacific ready to witness history. For the Rams, it's not just a game; it's a chance to make a mark on the global stage, one 16-hour flight at a time.