Even multimillion-dollar NFL earners are flinching at the prices of flights to Australia ahead of next week’s game at the MCG.
Jaylen Watson and his Los Angeles Rams will fly in to Melbourne on the eve of the September 11 clash, which won’t leave time for being a tourist – something that doesn’t bother the star cornerback, who doesn’t want any distractions.
His family won’t be doing any sightseeing either – in fact, they won’t be joining him on the trip.
“I actually looked up the flights, those flights are way too expensive for anyone to go,” said Watson, who is on a $US51 million contract after signing with the Rams from the Kansas City Chiefs.
“They will be watching from home.”
As of Monday, a search showed that a return economy flight direct from LAX to Melbourne – leaving on the Wednesday before the game and departing Melbourne on the Sunday after – would set a traveller back about $2600. To fly the same route in business class would cost a whopping $21,000, at least. For just under $40,000, first class is an option, but there would be stops along the way.
None of that is playing on Watson’s mind, though. He said the Rams would be all business ahead of their regular-season opener against their bitter divisional rivals, the San Francisco 49ers.
“I like flying in, flying out. I don’t want too many distractions. I don’t want to go out and try and sightsee and visit Australia. We are going there for a mission and one goal there, and that’s to get the win,” Watson told this masthead after training on Sunday.
“If you want to sightsee, you can take a vacation there. This is my first time here [at the Rams], so I know personally what I do. I just go for business.
“I know the fans will enjoy it. It should be a great game against a great opponent, a great rival, in the 49ers. I hope we can put on a great show.”
NFL fever is starting to grip Melbourne, with the Rams and 49ers releasing details this week of where fans can gather to celebrate the game, and the “watch parties” available for those unable to get a ticket to the sellout contest. The game is the first time an NFL regular-season game has been held in Australia.
“It’s a great feeling. We have fans all over the world now that follow me and DM me on Instagram. It’s a great feeling that American football is getting so big. It’s such a great sport, such a team sport, getting that international recognition around the world is great,” Watson said.
While the 49ers are due to arrive later this week, the Rams won’t touch down until 24 hours out from the game in a bid to avoid jet lag.
Watson said the Rams would physically and mentally remain in their home timezone, as the mid-morning kick-off in Melbourne (10.35am) corresponds with late afternoon Pacific Time in the US a day earlier.
Fan events in Melbourne
- The Rams will transform Crown Riverwalk into Rams House: The LA Tailgate Experience
- The free public fan zone will be designed to recreate the atmosphere and traditions of an authentic NFL game day in Los Angeles
- There will be a 22-yard floating football field on the Yarra
- There will also be live entertainment, NFL-style tailgating, exclusive photo opportunities, the Rams mascot rampage, and appearances by Rams legends, the Rams cheerleaders and the franchise’s mariachi band
“Sixteen hours [on the flight], a nap is definitely part of the plan,” Watson said of the players’ plan for the flight.
“I will bring a book and watch a couple of movies. It will be fun. Not many people get the chance to travel across the world, do what they love, play the sport they love, in front of millions of people. It’s a blessing.”
Watson said detailed preparations of what it would be like to play on the MCG – a ground not purpose-built for American football – would start this week, but he was used to the roar of playing before crowds of about 100,000 fans at college.
The clash will feature two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks in Brock Purdy (49ers) and veteran Rams playmaker Matthew Stafford, who led the franchise to a Super Bowl victory in 2022.
Watson, who helped the Chiefs to successive Super Bowl victories in 2023-24, said the Rams were well in the hunt for this season’s title.
“I think they already have the vibe, just a couple of plays short. It’s back to the drawing board, we are going to take it one play at a time, and hopefully at the end of the year we can be holding up the trophy,” he said.
The Rams opened their new campaign by winning all three of their pre-season games.
“It’s great to see the young guys go out there and compete at a high level, stack these wins, and we try and transition that going into the regular season,” Watson said.
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.