The San Francisco 49ers' 2026 NFL schedule includes two international games, making them the most-traveled team with 38,105 miles expected. Their season opener is against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10.
Key points
49ers have two international games in 2026
Season opener against Rams in Melbourne, Australia
Expected to travel 38,105 miles during the season
Game in Mexico City against the Vikings
Finished 2025 season with a 12-5 record
Mentioned in this story
MelbourneMexico CityBrock PurdyNick BosaGeorge KittleFred Warner
San Francisco 49ersLos Angeles RamsMinnesota Vikings
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Start circling specific dates on the calendar and get your travel affairs in order: The NFL schedule has officially been released for all 32 franchises, marking the release of the San Francisco 49ers 2026 schedule.
The 49ers have two games scheduled on international soil during the 2026 season, making them the most-traveled team in the league, expected to travel 38,105 miles throughout the season. Their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams will be played in Melbourne, Australia – a 7,850-mile trip – on Sept. 10.
The 49ers also have a game in Mexico City facing the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11. Although considered a "home game" for the Niners, the game site is approximately 2,200 miles south of San Francisco.
There are 14 opponents San Francisco will face in 18 weeks, which have been ranked ahead of the season. The 49ers ended the 2025 season with a 12-5 record, finishing in third place in the NFC West despite having injuries to key players throughout the season, including to Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa, George Kittle and .
Q&A
What are the key games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2026?
The key games include their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne and a matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City.
How many miles will the 49ers travel during the 2026 NFL season?
The 49ers are expected to travel 38,105 miles throughout the 2026 NFL season.
When does the San Francisco 49ers 2026 season start?
The 49ers' 2026 season starts on September 10 with a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Who are the 49ers' opponents in the 2026 NFL season?
The 49ers will face 14 opponents over 18 weeks in the 2026 season, including teams like the Rams and Vikings.
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Still, the Niners advanced to the postseason with a wild card berth. San Francisco prevailed against the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card round only to lose its NFC divisional versus the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
When San Francisco faces them in the regular season, there will be extra hype and maybe animosity surrounding the game. It'll be one of the Niners' must-watch games of the year.
Here's a breakdown of the five best, must-watch 49ers games to tune into during the 2026 season:
Week 1: Thursday, September 10 at Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne) – 5:35 p.m. PT on Netflix
It's the season opener in an entirely different country − and continent − as the San Francisco 49ers and LA Rams travel over 7,000 miles to Melbourne, Australia, to begin the 2026 NFL season on Sept. 10 at 5:35 p.m. PT.
There will be excitement surrounding the game. It's the first NFL game played in Australia. It's a divisional rivalry. It's the first game of the season, thus being a first-time look at the teams.
These two teams split their 2025 meetings. San Francisco won the first meeting 26-23 in overtime; LA won the next meeting, 42-26. Those games were played in California. This Week 1 meeting may not feature die-hard Rams and 49ers fans, but it will be exciting for these teams to host the NFL in Australia for the first time. Expect fans in attendance to be excited for American football in their backyard.
Week 9: Sunday, November 8 vs. Las Vegas Raiders – 1:05 p.m. PT on CBS
This one is special to Northern California as the regular-season matchup between the Raiders and 49ers at Levi's Stadium was once dubbed "The Battle of the Bay," pitting the then-Oakland Raiders against San Francisco. Fans throughout the Bay Area and all of NorCal fed into the "rivalry."
The 49ers have the upper hand in the all-time series, going 8-7 in 15 meetings with the Raiders since 1970. And although the team has relocated numerous time, the rivalry remains alive and well, especially for longtime fans.
Both teams last met during the 2025 preseason, where the 49ers won, 22-19. It's the first time these two will meet in the regular season since the 49ers' 37-34 overtime victory on Jan. 1, 2023. It'll be one of the best football atmospheres of the entire season. The rivalry will forever live on, as Bay Area rap duo Luniz once said, "from the Bay, to LA, to Las Vegas."
3. San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings (Mexico)
Week 11: Sunday, November 22 vs. Minnesota (Mexico City) – 5:20 p.m. PT on NBC
The 49ers will be the most-traveled team this season and their Week 11 matchup with the Vikings in Mexico City will be exceptionally fun to watch (5:20 p.m. ET, Nov. 22). It's considered a home game for the 49ers.
The energy surrounding the game will be the highlight as the 49ers fans in Mexico are showcased, as well as the love of NFL football in the country. Should the two teams put on a good product, it could continue to make a case to broaden the borders of the NFL, making it an international sport. Plus, by Week 11, there could be postseason implications on the line.
Week 10: Sunday, November 15 at Dallas – 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX
This long, storied NFL rivalry will always draw ratings. The 49ers lead the overall series, 21–19–1. These teams have met in the playoffs nine times. It's the Cowboys who narrowly have postseason bragging rights with a 5–4 record against San Francisco.
The last time these teams faced each other was the 2023 season. The two met during the regular season in a Week 5 matchup, drawing millions of viewers. They wanted to see a rematch of the teams' 2023 divisional round meeting in which the 49ers defeated the Cowboys, 19-12. The year before that, they met in the wild card round. The 49ers were victorious, 23-17, reeling in more viewers than Super Bowl 55.
1. San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Week 5: Sunday, October 11 at Seattle – 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX
This divisional rivalry is going to be a matchup to tune into, especially as San Francisco faces the Seahawks on the road. They split their regular-season matchups in 2025, but about five months ago the Seahawks got the last laugh.
The 49ers went up to Seattle and got throttled, 41-6, in the NFC divisional round as the Seahawks went on to become Super Bowl champions. That has to have left a bad taste in the Niners' mouths, especially as they make their way back to the Pacific Northwest.
Playing the defending Super Bowl champions in their house, where they last embarrassed you, has to light a fire under the Niners. It would be sweet revenge for San Francisco to send the Seattle fans home upset.
