49ers Likely to Lose Home Game for Major 2026 International Matchup

The 49ers appear poised to bring their winning international track record back to Mexico as part of the NFLs record-breaking 2026 global slate.

The NFL is going global in a big way - and the 49ers look poised to be part of the action.

On Monday, the league announced that the 2026 season will feature a record nine regular-season games played internationally, and San Francisco could be one of the teams packing their bags. Speaking to Imagen Sports, 49ers CEO Jed York confirmed that the team is likely to give up a home game to participate in the expanded International Series - with one destination topping his wish list.

“For us, Mexico is one of our markets,” York said. “We will most likely give up a home game this season to play abroad, and Mexico is always number one on my list.”

That’s not just lip service. The 49ers have a strong history with international play, and Mexico, in particular, has been a significant location for the franchise. If the Niners do head south of the border in 2026, it would mark their fifth regular-season game played outside the U.S. - and their third in Mexico City.

Their first international appearance came back in 2005, when they faced the Arizona Cardinals at Estadio Azteca. That game wasn’t just a milestone for the 49ers - it was historic for the league.

It marked the first time a regular-season NFL game was played outside the United States. The result didn’t go San Francisco’s way that day - they lost 31-14 - but it set the stage for the NFL’s international ambitions.

Fast forward to their most recent trip abroad, and the story was much different. In a 2022 rematch against the Cardinals - again at Estadio Azteca - the 49ers put on a show, dominating in a 38-10 win. That performance was part of a growing trend: the Niners are 3-1 all-time in international regular-season games.

The other two wins came in London, where the team traveled in 2010 and 2013 to face the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively. Both games were played at Wembley Stadium, and both ended in victories for San Francisco.

If the 49ers do head to Mexico in 2026, it won’t be a one-off for the NFL. As part of Monday’s announcement, the league confirmed that Estadio Azteca will host one game in each of the next three seasons. That’s a clear sign that Mexico remains a priority market for the NFL - and for a team like San Francisco, which has a strong following there, it’s a natural fit.

Looking at the full slate for 2026, the NFL is truly stretching its global footprint. In addition to the game in Mexico City, the league will host three games in London, and one each in Rio de Janeiro, Munich, Madrid, Melbourne, and Paris. The matchups in Melbourne and Paris will be historic - the first-ever regular-season NFL games played in those cities.

With nine international games on the calendar, 2026 will set a new high-water mark for the NFL’s global push. For the 49ers, it’s more than a marketing opportunity - it’s a chance to represent their brand on a world stage they’re already familiar with. And if history is any indication, they’ll be ready to put on a show.