The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for a historic season, set to become only the second team in NFL history to play two international games in one year. They've been selected to take the field in Mexico and will also make their debut in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams. This ambitious schedule will see them break the league's all-time mileage record, traveling to both Melbourne and Mexico City during the 2026 campaign.
While the opponent and date for the Mexico City game remain under wraps, it will take place at the newly renovated Azteca Stadium, now known as Banorte. Closed for renovations since May 2024 in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, the stadium will reopen in March with a soccer match between Mexico and Portugal. This game marks the beginning of a three-year NFL contract to host games in Mexico.
The 49ers are set to cover over 38,000 miles next season, crossing through an astounding 54 time zones. According to research from Bookies.com, the team will travel 15,738 miles for the Australia game and another 3,854 miles for their matchup in Mexico.
Their road schedule also includes games against the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, and LA Chargers, culminating in a record-breaking 38,105 miles traveled. This surpasses the previous record of 37,086 miles set by the Chargers in 2025.
San Francisco last played in Mexico City during the 2022 season, where they triumphed over the Cardinals 38-10 at the Azteca Stadium. The NFL has hosted six regular-season games in Mexico since 2005, when the 49ers faced the Cardinals in the league’s first international regular-season game.
49ers CEO Al Guido expressed enthusiasm about returning to Mexico, highlighting the passionate fan base. "After two unforgettable experiences in 2005 and 2022, we are excited to reunite with the Mexico faithful," he said.
The NFL's office in Mexico notes that the 49ers are among the most popular teams in the country, alongside the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots. With a fan base of 40 million, Mexico represents the largest NFL following outside the United States. As part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program, the 49ers are one of 10 teams with marketing rights in Mexico, offering them a unique opportunity to expand their brand internationally.