The National Football League (NFL) has confirmed that the San Francisco 49ers will headline the 2026 2026 NFL Mexico City Mexico City game, presented by Banorte. The highly anticipated matchup will take place at the iconic Estadio Banorte, marking a major milestone in the league’s expanding global footprint.
The Mexico City fixture forms part of a record-breaking nine international NFL games scheduled for 2026, spanning four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums. The game also kicks off a multi-year commitment from the NFL to stage regular-season games in Mexico City in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
NFL Strengthens Its Commitment to Mexico
Arturo Olivé, NFL Director General in Mexico, highlighted the league’s long-standing relationship with the country:
“Returning to Estadio Banorte highlights our strong, ongoing commitment to Mexico. Few places generate the kind of energy we see here, and we look forward to being back in a country that plays such a meaningful role in the growth of our game.”
The 49ers are no strangers to Mexico City. Having previously played there in 2005 and 2022, the franchise has built a loyal following among Mexican fans — often referred to as the “Mexico Faithful.”
San Francisco 49ers CEO Al Guido added:
“We’re excited to reunite with the Mexico Faithful and look forward to the energy local fans will bring in creating a true home-field advantage for our team abroad.”
The opponent, along with the official date and kickoff time, will be announced when the full 2026 NFL schedule is released this spring via the official NFL website.
A Record-Breaking Year for NFL International Games
The 2026 season will mark the most ambitious international expansion in league history. Host cities and stadiums include:
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London, United Kingdom – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (two games) and Wembley Stadium
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Madrid, Spain – Bernabéu Stadium
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Melbourne, Australia – Melbourne Cricket Ground*
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Mexico City, Mexico – Estadio Banorte
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Munich, Germany – FC Bayern Munich Arena
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Paris, France – Stade de France*
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Maracanã Stadium*
(*New markets for 2026)
This expansion builds on 62 regular-season NFL games already played outside the United States, with cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Dublin, São Paulo and Toronto previously hosting.
NFL’s 40 Million-Strong Mexican Fanbase
Mexico represents the NFL’s largest fanbase outside the United States, boasting an estimated 40 million fans. The league has maintained an office in Mexico City since 1998, underscoring its long-term investment in the region.
Five regular-season games have already been played in Mexico City (2005, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022), generating massive attendance figures — including more than 103,000 fans at the inaugural 2005 matchup.
The 2026 game continues that tradition while expanding community engagement initiatives, youth participation and commercial partnerships under the NFL’s Global Markets Program.
Flag Football Heads to the Olympics
In a landmark development for the sport, flag football will debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The NFL’s official youth programme, NFL Flag, launched in Mexico in 2000 and is projected to reach 3.3 million girls and boys nationwide this year. The Olympic inclusion signals a new era for the sport’s global accessibility and grassroots growth.
San Francisco 49ers and the Global Markets Programme
The 49ers are one of 10 NFL teams granted marketing rights in Mexico through the league’s Global Markets Program. The initiative allows franchises to grow international brand awareness via fan engagement events, community programmes and commercial opportunities beyond the U.S.
With Mexico’s passionate fan culture and proven track record of sold-out stadiums, the 2026 NFL Mexico City game is expected to be one of the standout events of the season.
