The NFL announced its return to Mexico, and the San Francisco 49ers want to be part of the action. Following the league’s release of its 2026 international schedule, Jed York admitted the team hopes to play at Estadio Azteca-even if it means paying a steep price.
On Monday, the NFL confirmed the expansion of its international slate to nine games. The highlight is the return to Mexico City after a three-year absence.
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At a press conference, Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that this year’s schedule includes three games in London and one each in Melbourne, Paris, Madrid, Mexico City, Munich, and Rio de Janeiro.
So far, only three teams have been confirmed: the Los Angeles Rams, the New Orleans Saints, and the Cleveland Browns. The 49ers, meanwhile, are prepared to give up a home game to secure a spot in Mexico.
Mexico City: The 49ers’ preferred international venue
In an interview with Imagen Sports, York said it is very likely the team will play abroad this season.
If so, he emphasized, their top choice is Estadio Azteca. “For us, Mexico is one of our markets,” York explained, acknowledging the “price” teams pay to play internationally.
“We will most likely give up a home game this season to play abroad, and Mexico is always number one on my list.”
It’s worth noting that San Francisco last played in Mexico City in 2022, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 38-10 before the stadium underwent renovations.
NFL Games in Mexico: A brief history
Mexico City has long been one of the NFL’s favorite destinations. In addition to four American Bowl exhibition games in the 1990s and early 2000s, the league has staged four regular-season matchups at Estadio Azteca:
- 2016: Houston Texans 20-27 Oakland Raiders
- 2017: New England Patriots 33-8 Oakland Raiders
- 2019: Kansas City Chiefs 24-17 Los Angeles Chargers
- 2022: San Francisco 49ers 38-10 Arizona Cardinals
In 2018, a scheduled game between the Chiefs and Rams was relocated to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum due to poor field conditions at Azteca.
