The 49ers will play a regular season game at Estadio Azteca in 2026

The NFL officially confirmed that the San Francisco 49ers will play a regular-season game in Mexico City in 2026, solidifying their international expansion strategy which also includes a presence in Australia. The game will take place in December at Estadio Banorte (formerly known as Estadio Azteca), offering a unique opportunity for Mexican fans to see one of the league’s top teams live. The announcement was made during Super Bowl week, where Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that specific details of the schedule will be released when the official calendar comes out in spring.

Still Unconfirmed: Opponent and Exact Game Time

Although it’s already confirmed that San Francisco will be the home team in this matchup (giving up one of their home games to be played in Mexico), the NFL has not yet publicly announced who the 49ers will face. The exact game time also remains pending, awaiting the official spring schedule release.

However, potential opponents for this Mexican showdown include teams such as the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles. Each of these franchises could be designated to face the 49ers on national soil.

San Francisco’s Return to Estadio Azteca

This will be the third time the California franchise plays in Mexico City. The most recent was in 2022, when the 49ers convincingly defeated the Arizona Cardinals with a score of 38-10. Additionally, San Francisco participated in the historic first regular-season game held outside the United States in 2005, also at the then Estadio Azteca, marking a milestone in the NFL’s internationalization.

Double International Commitment: Mexico and Australia

For the 49ers, 2026 will be an extraordinary year. They will have two international commitments in the same season: besides the game in Mexico City, they will also kick off their campaign facing the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, representing an unprecedented schedule for the franchise and demonstrating the NFL’s global reach.

The NFL and Its Continued Presence in Mexico

The NFL’s presence in Mexico has been consistent in recent years. Since 2005, the league has held five games at Estadio Azteca/Banorte (in 2005, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022). With plans to return in 2027 and 2028, Mexico is shaping up as one of the key destinations for international expansion.

In 2026, besides the game in Mexico and Melbourne, the NFL has scheduled a true global tour with a total of nine international games. The cities hosting these games include Paris, Munich, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and three in London, making 2026 the year with the most international presence in league history.