NFL fans and teams arrive in Melbourne for the season opener

The NFL season opener between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots generated significant interest in Melbourne, Australia, as thousands of fans gathered for watch parties across the city. Supporters of various franchises, including the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, joined the local crowd on Thursday. Local venues like the Imperial Pub reached capacity as spectators monitored the game despite an early injury to Sam Darnold. The league’s presence in the Australian market has grown significantly through official promotion efforts and international outreach. While some local businesses initially struggled to accommodate the timing of the broadcast, the high turnout at bars and public spaces signaled a strong domestic following for the NFL.

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