As the 2026 schedule was released for the San Francisco 49ers, the one aspect of the announcement that fans were anticipating to see was the placement of the international games and the rest after. While 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made his thoughts known on the international games and didn't see much benefit besides exposure of the game, he's not going to love the team's Week 2 placement.
San Francisco will open the season against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 in Australia, and while one might think that Week 2 could see an extra day given to the teams, it only has to be to one of them. Unfortunately, Shanahan and the 49ers will have to play that next Sunday, while the Rams will get the Monday night game.
While one has to factor in the time difference between Australia and the United States of America, the game will be played on a Thursday night, giving San Francisco an extended break for every team, except for the NFC West rival, the Rams.
Always on hand 📆@Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/ZfG06iIkNR
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 15, 2026
Consider your calendar booked.
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— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) May 14, 2026
49ers' Kyle Shanahan gives his thoughts on international games
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Looking back at the 49ers head coach's comments regarding the international games, the announcement of the team playing in Australia had been known before, with Shanahan giving his thoughts during the annual league meeting in March.
“I don’t see any pro. I mean, it’s cool. It’s cool for the league to play globally. I think that’s awesome. But, um, as far as the team doing it, you know, it’s..no, there’s not much benefit to it. Sometimes, it’s nice to get a bye week after. But it doesn’t happen Week 1,” Shanahan said on March 30, via Niners Nation.
“Our goal to go 19 hours away. We're going back in time or into future. … It is what it is,” Shanahan continued, via Cam Inman. “We’ll deal with it.”
At any rate, San Francisco will also have a Week 11 international game in Mexico City as the 49ers will have a busy travel schedule ahead for this season, as the team looks to further improve after finishing with a 12-5 record, putting them third in the NFC West.
As the 2026 schedule was released for the San Francisco 49ers, the one aspect of the announcement that fans were anticipating to see was the placement of the international games and the rest after. While 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made his thoughts known on the international games and didn't see much benefit besides exposure of the game, he's not going to love the team's Week 2 placement.