49ers to Shatter NFL Travel Records with Mexico City, Australia Games

Team will log most miles ever for an NFL franchise in 2026 season.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The San Francisco 49ers are set to travel farther than any NFL team in history next season, with games scheduled in Mexico City and Australia in addition to their regular home and away schedule. The 49ers will rack up significantly more miles than any other franchise has before, raising concerns about player fatigue and the competitive balance of the league.

Why it matters

The 49ers' extensive travel schedule could put them at a competitive disadvantage compared to other teams that don't have to log as many miles. Excessive travel has been shown to negatively impact player performance, recovery, and injury risk in professional sports leagues.

The details

The 49ers' 2026 schedule includes a game against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, which will be the first-ever NFL game held in that country. They also have a game scheduled in Mexico City, adding to the team's already lengthy travel requirements. Combined with their regular home and away games, the 49ers are set to shatter the all-time NFL record for most miles traveled by a franchise in a single season.

  • The 49ers' game in Australia is scheduled for October 2026.
  • The 49ers' game in Mexico City is scheduled for November 2026.

The players

San Francisco 49ers

A professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area that competes in the National Football League (NFL).

Los Angeles Rams

A professional American football team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area that also competes in the NFL.

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What’s next

The NFL will monitor the 49ers' travel schedule closely to assess the impact on player performance and competitive balance across the league.

The takeaway

The 49ers' unprecedented travel demands in the 2026 season raise concerns about player fatigue and the fairness of the league's scheduling, underscoring the challenges of growing the NFL's international footprint.