49ers to host game as NFL makes Mexico return

Fred Warner waves a Mexico flag before the San Francisco 49ers play the Arizona Cardinals at Estadio Azteca in November 2022Getty Images

Ben Collins

BBC Sport journalist

The San Francisco 49ers will play two international games during the 2026 NFL season.

The five-time Super Bowl winners had already confirmed they will play the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL's first game in Australia.

The 49ers have now revealed they will be the home team for the NFL's return to Mexico after a four-year break.

The NFL has agreed a new three-year commitment to play regular-season games in Mexico City, although the date and opponent are yet to be announced.

The 49ers played in both the first regular-season game to be held in Mexico (2005) and the most recent (2022).

Since then the Estadio Azteca has been renovated so that it can host games during this summer's World Cup.

The 49ers will become the third team to play two international games in the same season and the second team to play them in two different countries.

The Jacksonville Jaguars played two games in London in 2023 and 2024, before the Minnesota Vikings played in both Dublin and London last season.

Mexico, which has the largest NFL fanbase outside the United States, hosted the first regular-season game to be played outside the USA in 2005.

The NFL will play a record nine international games during the 2026 season.

NFL to make France debut during record 2026 schedule

Where are the NFL's international games in 2026?

London, United Kingdom (three)

Melbourne, Australia

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Paris, France

Munich, Germany

Mexico City, Mexico

Madrid, Spain