NFL faces calls to mandate early travel for international week one games
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 12:30 PM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026
Following the Rams' recent trip to Melbourne, critics are calling for the NFL to establish mandatory early arrival requirements for teams playing international games in Week 1. Michael Holley, appearing on PFT Live, suggested the league should treat these fixtures similar to the Super Bowl by requiring teams to arrive well in advance of kickoff. The proposal aims to ensure both teams are fully acclimated to local conditions, preventing a competitive imbalance caused by differing travel itineraries. The 49ers, who arrived in Australia a week ahead of their game, appeared better prepared for the matchup than the Rams. Proponents of the mandate argue that the league should remove travel decisions from the teams' control to maintain fairness and promote the game effectively within international markets. The NFL has not yet indicated whether it will alter its travel policies for future international contests.
- •The NFL is under pressure to require early arrival for teams playing international games.
- •The 49ers arrived in Australia a week early while the Rams did not.
- •Michael Holley suggests the league should control team travel itineraries for international openers.
- •Early arrival allows for increased local promotion and player acclimation.
- 12:30 PMYahoo Sports — Should NFL mandate early travel for Week 1 international games?
"As the conversation continues on the Rams' apparent misfire regarding the decision to barnstorm into and out of Melbourne, there's another question that needs to be asked about Week 1 international games played a long way away from the U.S.
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