‘Global' 49ers discover their travel itinerary for the 2026 season
SANTA CLARA — It was always the 49ers’ former cross-bay rivals that considered itself a global franchise.
Move over Raiders.
Much to the consternation of the fan base, that distinction belongs to the 49ers based on being one of the first teams to play two international games in the same season (Week 1 in Melbourne, Australia, and Week 11 in Mexico City).
The 49ers’ travel miles for the 2026 regular season amount to 38,105 air miles, the most ever according to sports betting analyst Bill Speros, as well as traversing 58 time zones, breaking the previous record of 42.
The 49ers knew that already, of course, but they didn’t have their games in sequence until the NFL schedule was announced Thursday evening although news of their opener and Mexico City game had already leaked.
Expect the travel demands to be one of this season’s continuing overplayed stories the moment the 49ers look a little old, tired and injured. All three things happened last season yet the 49ers still went 12-5 and won a playoff game. This one has the look of an 11-6 regular season.
A few schedule notes:
— The Australian opener, with the Rams designated as the home team, will be the 49ers’ fifth road opener in six years.
— The 49ers are scheduled for at least five prime-time games for the fifth straight season.
— There are five teams on the schedule that reached the postseason in 2025 — Denver, the Los Angeles Chargers, the Rams, Philadelphia and Seattle.
— The 49ers and Jaguars will join last year’s Vikings as the only teams in NFL history to play two international games in the same season. But the 49ers will be the first to take two international trips to two different continents to play two international games in the same season.
Here is how the schedule plays out:
WEEK 1: Thursday, Sept. 10
at Los Angeles Rams (5:35 p.m., Netflix) at Melbourne Cricket Stadium, Australia
Let the complaining begin. The Rams made sure their home stadium won’t be inundated by commuters from the Bay Area by arranging to have their opener against the 49ers on the other side of the world.
Projected result: Rams 27, 49ers 24
WEEK 2: Sunday, Sept 20
vs. Miami Dolphins (1:25 p.m. FOX)
When all looked bleak for the 49ers in December of 2022, seventh-round draft pick Brock Purdy stepped in for Jimmy Garoppolo and led the 49ers to a 33-17 win over the Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium. Might as well run it back.
Projected result: 49ers 33, Dolphins 17
WEEK 3: Sunday, Sept. 27
vs. Arizona (1:05 p.m., FOX)
Cardinals rookie had coach Mike LaFleur was a Shanahan lieutenant from 2020. Did mentor Kyle teach LaFleur everything he knows? Not likely.
Projected result: 49ers 34, Cardinals 14
WEEK 4: Sunday, Oct. 4
vs. Denver (1:25 p.m., CBS)
If Dre Greenlaw is healthy enough to play, this will be a fun one given he was cut by Denver one year into a three-year contract after playing in eight games last season.
Projected result: 49ers 26, Broncos 20
WEEK 5: Sunday, Oct. 11
at Seattle (1:25 p.m., FOX)
Two different teams. But the Seahawks stopped the 49ers cold twice to the tune of 54-9 within 14 days last January so it’s impossible to forget. A competitive game is a must for the 49ers.
Projected result: Seahawks 20, 49ers 17
WEEK 6: Monday, Oct. 9
vs. Washington (ABC, ESPN, 5:15 p.m.)
Will Brandon Aiyuk have resurfaced for his preferred destination with Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels? That would be some high drama at Levi’s Stadium with a revved up Monday night crowd.
Projected result: 49ers 31, Commanders 14
WEEK 7: Sunday, Oct. 25
at Atlanta (10 a.m., FOX)
The last time the 49ers won a road game against Atlanta was the 2012 NFC Championship Game (28-24) with Colin Kaepernick engineering a comeback that put them in the Super Bowl.
Projected result: 49ers 26, Falcons 14
WEEK 8: Sunday, Nov. 1
BYE
The fifth time the 49ers have had their bye week in Week 8 since 2016.
WEEK 9: Sunday, Nov. 8
vs. Las Vegas Raiders, (1:05 p.m., CBS)
No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza ought to be the Raiders’ starting quarterback by the time this one is played. Shanahan has a 6-3 record following byes with the 49ers.
Projected result: 49ers 31, Raiders 21
WEEK 10: Sunday, Nov. 15
at Dallas (1:25 p.m., FOX)
The Cowboys have lost the last two to the 49ers but haven’t hosted a regular-season game against them since 2020. The 49ers won a wild-card game in 2021 season in Dallas.
Projected result: Cowboys 27, 49ers 23
WEEK 11: Sunday, Nov. 22
vs. Minnesota Vikings (5:20 p.m., NBC) at Estadio Banorte, Mexico City)
The 49ers close out the international portion of their schedule with a “home” game in Mexico City on Sunday Night Football, denying wide receiver and fan favorite Jauan Jennings a Levi’s Stadium reunion.
Projected result: 49ers 30, Vikings 17
WEEK 12: Sunday, Nov. 29
vs. Seattle (1:25 p.m., FOX)
The Seahawks are 15-12 in road games against the 49ers and the home fan base by this time is obsessed with all things Seattle.
Projected result: 49ers 21, Seahawks 17
WEEK 13: Sunday, Dec. 6
at New York Giants (10 a.m., FOX)
The 49ers won 34-24 against the Giants on Nov. 2 last season. If there’s such a thing as a trap game, this is it coming off a second Seattle game.
Projected result: Giants 20, 49ers 10
WEEK 14: Sunday, Dec 13
vs. Los Angeles Rams (1:25 p.m., FOX)
And thus will conclude the Rams-Seahawks portion of the NFC West schedule for 2026. 49ers are 38-37-2 all-time at home against the Rams.
Projected result: 49ers 24, Rams 17
WEEK 15: Thursday, Dec. 17
at Los Angeles Chargers (5:15 p.m., Prime Video)
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has been looking forward to this one. The last game he coached for 49ers was the 2014 regular-season finale, beating Arizona to finish 8-8. That’s two Harbaughs in three weeks (with John coaching the Giants).
Projected result: Chargers 28, 49ers 20
WEEK 16: Sunday, Dec. 27
at Kansas City (1:25 p.m., CBS)
Will 49ers’ killer Patrick Mahomes be good to go by this point? Last time 49ers were at Arrowhead Stadium was in 2018 when Jimmy Garoppolo was lost to a torn ACL.
Projected result: Chiefs 30, 49ers 24
WEEK 17: Sunday, Jan 3
vs. Philadelphia (5:20 p.m., NBC)
Including the postseason, the 49ers have won three of the last four against the Eagles — with the lone loss the NFC title game when Purdy departed early with a torn ACL.
Projected result: 49ers 25, Eagles 13
WEEK 18: Saturday or Sunday, Jan. 9 or 10
at Arizona (time, television TBA)
The 49ers have on five of last seven on the road against Arizona. It’s hard to know what kind of shape Arizona running back Jeremiyah Love will be at this point. Or Christian McCaffrey, for that matter.
Projected result: 49ers 38, Cardinals 20
PRESEASON
Aug. 13-16: vs. Tennessee
Thursday, Aug. 20: at Los Angeles Chargers, 7 p.m. (KPIX-5)
Aug. 27-30: at Las Vegas Raiders
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 5:05 PM.