The 49ers are packing their passports for a 2026 season unlike any in franchise history - and frankly, unlike anything the NFL has ever seen. San Francisco is set to kick off its campaign with a groundbreaking trip to Australia, then later head south of the border to Mexico City, making them the first team in league history to play two regular-season games outside the U.S. in a single year.
Let’s start with the headline grabber: the season opener. Reports indicate the 49ers will face off against the Los Angeles Rams at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
That’s right - the NFL is going Down Under for its first-ever regular-season game in Melbourne. And if the current scheduling holds, the game will take place on either Wednesday, September 9, or Thursday, September 10.
A midweek opener isn’t just unusual - it’s unprecedented. Traditionally, the NFL kicks off its season on a Thursday night with the defending Super Bowl champion hosting.
But this year, the league appears to be flipping the script in the name of international growth. Slotting a marquee NFC West rivalry into that prime window - and doing it in Australia - shows just how seriously the NFL is taking its global ambitions.
From a football perspective, there’s actually some logic to the early-week kickoff. Playing midweek gives both the 49ers and Rams extra time to travel, adjust to the significant time zone difference, and recover before Week 2. That kind of scheduling consideration reflects how the league is trying to balance the demands of international play with competitive fairness.
But the 49ers’ world tour doesn’t stop in Australia.
Later in the season, San Francisco is expected to serve as the designated home team for a December matchup at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City - the stadium formerly known as Estadio Azteca. While the opponent hasn’t been revealed yet, the location is no surprise.
Owner Jed York has been vocal about Mexico being a top priority for the franchise’s international outreach. Ahead of Super Bowl LX, he made it clear: if the Niners were going to give up a home game to play abroad, Mexico would be first in line.
And there’s history to back that up. The 49ers have played in Mexico City twice before - once in 2005 and again in 2022.
They’ve also made two trips to London’s Wembley Stadium. So this isn’t new territory, but the 2026 schedule takes things to another level.
Two international regular-season games in one year? That’s a bold move.
Of course, it won’t be easy. International travel brings its own set of challenges - long flights, disrupted routines, and in the case of Mexico City, the added factor of high altitude.
It’s a logistical puzzle that will test the team’s planning and resilience. But there’s also tremendous upside.
This is about more than just playing football in new places. It’s about planting the flag.
The 49ers have one of the NFL’s most recognizable brands and a massive international following. Playing in Australia and Mexico in the same season sends a clear message: this team isn’t just chasing a championship - it’s building a global legacy.
In 2026, the 49ers won’t just be competing on American turf. They’ll be carrying the red and gold across continents, representing the league on a global stage, and giving fans around the world a front-row seat to one of the NFL’s premier franchises.