49ers preseason schedule features one weird quirk

The San Francisco 49ers on Thursday revealed their preliminary preseason schedule as part of their full 2026 schedule release.

Their three-game exhibition slate is a little strange and will feature some familiar faces from their regular season slate. While the 49ers face the AFC West this year, they're not avoiding that quartet of teams for their preseason matchups. Their preseason schedule features road games at the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. They'll face both of those teams in the regular season, although their game vs. the Raiders in Week 9 is at Levi's Stadium and not in Las Vegas.

Typically when a team squares off with a club in the regular season they'll avoid playing them in the preseason. The 49ers and their preseason opponents are clearly not worried about any potential intel they could get from those exhibition matchups. There's still no word on whether any of the three games will feature joint practices.

There aren't times for all the games yet, but we do know that all three games are on Thursdays. The team likely vied for Thursday kickoffs to help begin preparing for a Thursday kickoff vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia in Week 1.

Here's what we know so far about the 49ers' preseason schedule:

Preseason Week 1 | 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans

• Date: Thursday, August 13
• Time: TBD
• TV channel: KPIX 5

Preseason Week 2 | 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers

• Date: Thursday, August 20