The image still feels fresh. Fred Warner running onto the field in Mexico City with the Mexican flag in his hands.
Now it is official. The San Francisco 49ers will return to Mexico in 2026 as part of the NFL’s record-setting slate of nine international games, the most ever scheduled in a single season.
The announcement confirms that Mexico remains central to the league’s global strategy. The 49ers previously played there in 2005 and again in November 2022, when they defeated the Arizona Cardinals38-10 at Estadio Azteca in front of more than 78,000 fans.
In 2026, the matchup will take place at Estadio Banorte, which is scheduled to host NFL games in 2026, 2027 and 2028 under a multi-year agreement. This marks the most aggressive international expansion in league history.
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Sydney Warner reacts to the Mexico return
Shortly after the league confirmed the game, Sydney Warner shared her excitement. She reposted a photo from the team’s official account showing Fred carrying the Mexican flag during the 2022 appearance and described her anticipation for returning to Mexico for another round.
Her response struck a chord with fans who remember Warner’s dominant 2022 campaign. That season, he earned First-Team All-Pro honors, according to Pro Football Reference, reinforcing his role as the defensive anchor of San Francisco’s roster.
“Vamosss!!! We cannot wait for round 2 in Mexico…
Sydney and Fred married in June 2022 after his proposal in May 2021. Since then, their family has grown. They welcomed their son, Anthony, in March 2024 and their daughter, Bella, earlier this year during the team’s playoff run. Her reaction to the Mexico announcement felt personal, but it also reflected how meaningful the 2022 trip was for the organization.
The NFL deepens its commitment to Mexico
Mexico has consistently delivered some of the largest international crowds for the league. Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly emphasized international growth as a priority, and the expansion to nine global games in 2026 shows that strategy accelerating.
In comparison, the NFL hosted five international games in 2022. The total increased gradually in subsequent seasons, but nine games signals a clear shift toward making global matchups a core part of the regular season calendar.
For the 49ers, the return reinforces their growing international presence. The 2022 Mexico City game was widely praised for its atmosphere, intensity and fan engagement, creating a unique home-field energy far from California.
What lies ahead for the 49ers in 2026
The league has not yet announced the date or opponent for the Mexico City game. Those details will be revealed during the official NFL schedule release in 2026.
For now, the confirmation alone is enough to build anticipation. The San Francisco 49ers are heading back to Mexico City, and the excitement reaches beyond the roster to the families who experienced the moment firsthand the last time.
Sources: Official NFL announcements regarding the 2026 international schedule; Pro Football Reference career data for Fred Warner.
