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49ers Move to Santa Clara Raises Identity Questions
The NFL team keeps 'San Francisco' in its name despite playing home games 45 miles away
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
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The San Francisco 49ers have played their home games in Santa Clara, California since 2014 after failing to reach a deal with the city of San Francisco for a new, modern stadium. While the team kept 'San Francisco' in its name, the 45-mile distance between the city and their Levi's Stadium home has raised questions about the 49ers' identity and connection to their longtime fan base.
Why it matters
The 49ers' move from San Francisco to Santa Clara highlights the challenges professional sports teams face in balancing their historical identity with the business realities of needing a state-of-the-art stadium. This decision has impacted the team's connection to its fan base and the broader San Francisco community.
The details
The 49ers played in San Francisco from their inception in 1946 until 2013, first at Kezar Stadium and then at Candlestick Park. However, the team wanted a newer, more modern stadium and couldn't reach a deal with San Francisco. They instead accepted an offer from the nearby city of Santa Clara, about 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, to build Levi's Stadium. Despite the move, the 49ers kept 'San Francisco' in their name, leading to questions about their identity and connection to the city.
- The 49ers played in San Francisco from 1946 to 2013.
- The team moved to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara in 2014.
The players
San Francisco 49ers
A professional American football team that has played in the National Football League (NFL) since 1946 and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Santa Clara
A city located about 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, where the 49ers' Levi's Stadium is located.
Kevin Moore
A former vice mayor of Santa Clara who hand-delivered a letter to the 49ers' front office detailing why the team should consider moving to Santa Clara.
What they’re saying
“He cited good road access, a nearby convention center, and a lot of high-tech companies that could buy up the luxury suites. He was fine being the franchise's backup plan, and when talks with San Francisco fell through, the franchise took Moore up on his offer and moved to Santa Clara, though they kept the San Francisco name in their identity.”
— Kevin Moore, Former Vice Mayor of Santa Clara (NBC Bay Area)
What’s next
The 49ers will continue to play their home games at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, raising ongoing questions about the team's identity and connection to San Francisco.
The takeaway
The 49ers' move from San Francisco to Santa Clara, while keeping the 'San Francisco' name, highlights the challenges professional sports teams face in balancing their historical identity with the business realities of needing a modern stadium. This decision has impacted the team's connection to its longtime fan base and the broader San Francisco community.
