The San Francisco 49ers could be headed outside the United States during the 2026 NFL season.
Team owner Jed York recently told Imagen Sports that he fully expects the 49ers to give up one of their nine home games to play internationally, with Mexico once again a likely destination.
"We always have communication with the league," York said. "For us, Mexico is one of our markets. We will most likely give up a home game this season to play abroad, and Mexico is always number one on my list."
Jed York says the 49ers will most likely give up a home game to play an international game, mentioning Mexico as the #1 spot on his list 👀
Via: @ImagenSports pic.twitter.com/WmoeCNe7tS
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) February 2, 2026
The NFL has already announced plans to expand its international footprint in 2026, including its first-ever regular-season game in Paris, France. However, the New Orleans Saints have been identified as one of the two teams participating in that matchup, and the 49ers are not scheduled to face the Saints next season.
To date, 62 regular-season NFL games have been played internationally, with host cities including London, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, São Paulo, Mexico City, and Toronto.
So far, the league has confirmed the following locations for international games during the 2026 regular season:
- Melbourne, Australia (Melbourne Cricket Ground) — Los Angeles Rams participating
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Maracanã Stadium)
- Munich, Germany (FC Bayern Munich Arena)
- London, England — three games
- Madrid, Spain (Bernabéu Stadium)
- Paris, France (Stade de France Stadium) — New Orleans Saints participating
The 49ers have previously played four regular-season international games. San Francisco faced the Arizona Cardinals at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in both 2005 and 2022 and played at Wembley Stadium in London in 2010 and 2013.
The team's only international loss came in the 2005 game in Mexico City.