SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers’ worldwide journey in 2026 won’t solely take them Down Below to Australia but additionally to Mexico Metropolis.
The NFL introduced Wednesday that the Niners would be the house staff for a regular-season recreation at Estadio Banorte in Mexico Metropolis subsequent season. At his pre-Tremendous Bowl information convention, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned the sport will happen in December. The date, kickoff time and opponent can be introduced when the complete NFL schedule is launched within the spring.
“We’re delighted to host the San Francisco 49ers as soon as once more in Mexico Metropolis for the 2026 NFL Mexico recreation,” NFL Mexico director common Arturo Olive mentioned in a press release. “We stay up for being again in a rustic that performs such a significant position within the progress of our recreation.”
San Francisco will hand over a house recreation to play internationally. The 49ers final performed in Mexico Metropolis in 2022, a 38-10 win in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals, and performed there in 2005.
The Niners have worldwide advertising rights in Mexico Metropolis together with the Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers. Whereas the NFL does not need to schedule an opponent that additionally has advertising rights in Mexico Metropolis, the Niners are set to host the Raiders, Broncos, Dolphins, Rams and Cardinals in 2026.
“We’re thrilled to return to Mexico and play in entrance of one of the vital passionate fan bases within the league,” Niners CEO Al Guido mentioned. “After two unforgettable experiences in 2005 and 2022 in Mexico Metropolis, we’re excited to reunite with the Mexico devoted and stay up for the power the native followers will herald creating a real home-field benefit for our staff overseas.”
For the 49ers, December’s journey to Mexico means they are going to have two worldwide video games in the identical common season for the primary time in franchise historical past. They may face the Rams at Australia’s Melbourne Cricket Floor, a recreation the league introduced throughout Tremendous Bowl week.
The Mexico Metropolis recreation can be performed on the newly renovated Estadio Banorte, previously generally known as Estadio Azteca and the identical place the Niners met the Cardinals in 2022. Earlier than that recreation, the 49ers spent per week in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to assist acclimate to the altitude in Mexico Metropolis.
The NFL has additionally had video games at Estadio Banorte in 2016, 2017 and 2019. There are plans for video games to be performed there in 2027 and 2028.
The Mexico Metropolis recreation is certainly one of a league-record 9 worldwide contests slated for 2026. Along with Mexico Metropolis and Melbourne, the league additionally has scheduled video games in Paris, Munich, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and three in London.
