The San Francisco 49ers will play two international games during the 2026 NFL regular season. The team travels to Melbourne, Australia, for a Week 1 matchup against divisional rival Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Rams will serve as the home team for the contest.
The 49ers will also host a game in Mexico City during Week 11. The Miami Dolphins are reportedly the opponent for that matchup. The exact venue remains unconfirmed, though Estadio Azteca and Estadio Banorte are the likely candidates.
This represents a major travel challenge for San Francisco. Opening the season in Australia requires navigating a 15-hour flight and a 17-hour time difference. The team will forfeit its traditional visit to SoFi Stadium as part of the international arrangement.
The NFL continues expanding its global footprint with these international series games. Major NFL stadiums remain the league’s backbone, but overseas venues now play a growing role in the schedule.
Due to their third-place finish in the NFC West, the 49ers’ 2026 opponents include teams from the NFC East and AFC West. They will also face third-place squads from other divisions. The full schedule release is expected the week of May 11, according to league sources.
San Francisco last played internationally in 2013 when they faced Jacksonville in London. The 2026 slate represents the franchise’s most ambitious international commitment to date.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground has hosted NFL games before, most recently in 2018. The venue seats over 100,000 fans and is one of the world’s most iconic sports facilities. The Week 1 game will mark the first time two NFC West rivals meet outside North America.
Mexico City has become a regular NFL destination. The 49ers’ Week 11 appearance continues the league’s tradition of hosting games at high altitude in front of passionate Mexican fans. San Francisco’s 2026 roster will need to adapt quickly to the travel demands.
The Dolphins have not yet confirmed their participation in the Mexico City game. However, multiple reports suggest Miami will be the designated visiting team. The matchup would pit two teams with playoff aspirations against each other in a neutral-site environment.
San Francisco’s coaching staff will face logistical challenges preparing for the Australia opener. The team may travel early to acclimate to the time zone shift. Other NFL teams have used extended international trips as training camp extensions in the past.
The 49ers’ 2026 schedule also includes home games at Levi’s Stadium and road contests across the United States. The two international games represent just over 10 percent of the regular season slate. The Rams unveiled new uniforms ahead of their own 2026 campaign, adding intrigue to the Melbourne showdown.
We expect ticket sales for both international games to begin shortly after the full schedule announcement. The NFL has seen strong demand for overseas contests recently. Melbourne and Mexico City fans will have rare opportunities to watch live NFL action.
The 49ers’ front office has embraced the international exposure. The games offer marketing opportunities and a chance to grow the franchise’s global fanbase. Other teams are also navigating complex 2026 schedules as the league expands its international footprint.
