49ers Expand 2026 International Slate to Include Mexico City Alongside Australia

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49ers Expand 2026 International Slate to Include Mexico City Alongside Australia

The San Francisco 49ers are set to significantly broaden their international footprint in 2026, with the National Football League (NFL) announcing that the team will play a regular-season game in Mexico City. This historic move adds a second international destination for the franchise in the same season, alongside their previously confirmed trip Down Under to Australia.

The NFL confirmed on Wednesday that the 49ers will be designated as the home team for a game to be held at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed at his pre-Super Bowl news conference that the game is scheduled to take place in December 2026. Specific details regarding the exact date, kickoff time, and the opponent will be unveiled later when the league releases its full 2026 schedule in the spring.

Arturo Olive, NFL Mexico's general director, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming event. "We're delighted to host the San Francisco 49ers once again in Mexico City for the 2026 NFL Mexico game," Olive stated in a release. "We look forward to being back in a country that plays such a meaningful role in the growth of our game." This decision underscores the NFL's commitment to global expansion and fostering a deeper connection with international fan bases.

In order to accommodate this international fixture, San Francisco will forgo one of its scheduled home games. This will mark the 49ers' third all-time appearance in Mexico City. The team previously played there in 2022, securing a decisive 38-10 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, and also participated in a game there back in 2005. These past experiences highlight the team's established relationship with the Mexican market.

The 49ers hold international marketing rights in Mexico City, a privilege shared with several other NFL franchises. These include the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers. While the NFL is not obligated to pair teams with matching marketing rights for international games, the 49ers are slated to face potential matchups against the Raiders, Broncos, Dolphins, Rams, and Cardinals in 2026, some of whom possess these rights.

Al Guido, CEO of the 49ers, conveyed his excitement about returning to Mexico. "We are thrilled to return to Mexico and play in front of one of the most passionate fan bases in the league," Guido remarked. "After two unforgettable experiences in 2005 and 2022 in Mexico City, we're excited to reunite with the Mexico faithful and look forward to the energy the local fans will bring in creating a true home-field advantage for our team abroad." His sentiment reflects the positive impact of playing in front of enthusiastic crowds.

For the 49ers, the December trip to Mexico City signifies a landmark achievement: playing two international games within a single regular season for the first time in franchise history. This dual international commitment comes on the heels of the league's announcement during Super Bowl week that the 49ers will also face the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. This demanding schedule presents a unique challenge, requiring meticulous preparation and strategic planning.

The Mexico City game is scheduled to be held at the recently renovated Estadio Banorte, previously known as Estadio Azteca. This venue hosted the 49ers' 2022 matchup against the Cardinals. Notably, in preparation for their 2022 game, the 49ers spent a week in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to acclimatize to the high altitude of Mexico City—a strategy that might be revisited for the 2026 contest.

Estadio Banorte has a proven track record of hosting NFL games, with previous contests held there in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Furthermore, the venue is slated to host games in 2027 and 2028, solidifying its status as a key international site for the league. The 2026 season will feature a league-record nine international games, spanning Mexico City, Melbourne, Paris, Munich, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and three games in London, highlighting the NFL's ambitious global expansion strategy.

Ekhbary News Agency