49ers to Face Cardinals in Mexico City in 2026

The NFL's annual game in Mexico City will feature a matchup between NFC West rivals.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The San Francisco 49ers will be one of the teams participating in the NFL's 2026 regular-season game in Mexico City at Estadio Banorte. The 49ers will face off against their NFC West division rival, the Arizona Cardinals, in what will be the third time the two teams have met in Mexico City.

Why it matters

The NFL has held regular-season games in Mexico City since 2005, and the matchup between the 49ers and Cardinals will continue that tradition. Both teams have a strong following in Mexico, and the game will provide an opportunity to grow the league's brand in the country.

The details

The 49ers and Cardinals last played in Mexico City in 2022, with the 49ers winning 38-10. Their first meeting in Mexico was in 2005, when the Cardinals won 31-14 in front of over 103,000 fans. The 49ers will also face the Los Angeles Rams in a historic game in Melbourne, Australia earlier in the 2026 season.

  • The 49ers and Cardinals last played in Mexico City in 2022.
  • The 49ers and Cardinals first met in Mexico City in 2005.

The players

San Francisco 49ers

An NFL team based in the San Francisco Bay Area that competes in the NFC West division.

Arizona Cardinals

An NFL team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area that competes in the NFC West division.

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What’s next

The date, time, and opponent for the 49ers' game in Mexico City will be announced in May when the NFL releases the full 2026 regular-season schedule.

The takeaway

The 49ers-Cardinals matchup in Mexico City will continue the NFL's efforts to grow the sport's popularity internationally, particularly in a country where both teams have a strong fan base.