Report: 49ers confirmed to host Mexico City game in 2026

The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly headed back to Mexico City in 2026, something that was previously assumed but not yet confirmed—until now.

According to ESPN's John Sutcliffe, the 49ers will serve as the designated home team for a regular-season game at Estadio Banorte—formerly known as Estadio Azteca—during the 2026 NFL season. The opponent has not yet been announced.

San Francisco is scheduled to host NFC West rivals, along with the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins next season. One of those matchups is expected to be moved to Mexico City, with the game reportedly slated for December.

Mexico will not be the 49ers' only international stop in 2026. San Francisco is also scheduled to face the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia for the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Melbourne. However, the Rams are the designated home team for that matchup.

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, 49ers owner Jed York acknowledged the likelihood of the franchise giving up one of its nine home games to play internationally—and he specifically mentioned Mexico as a priority market.

"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."

The 49ers have played four regular-season international games to date. San Francisco faced the Arizona Cardinals at Estadio Azteca in 2005 and 2022 and played at London's Wembley Stadium in 2010 and 2013.

The franchise's only international loss came in the 2005 matchup in Mexico City.