In the week leading up to Super Bowl 60 at Levi's Stadium, San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York hinted the Niners would play an international game in the upcoming 2026 season.
But York seemed to indicate such a game would be played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, the recent destination for San Francisco as part of the NFL's international series.
York might still be correct, of course. A Mexico City game could be just one international bout the 49ers have on their upcoming schedule.
However, the Niners will be traveling to the southern hemisphere for the first time in franchise history, partaking in an unprecedented expansion into one of the globe's budding markets for American football.
Australia.
49ers' 2026 NFL schedule to include a game vs. Rams in Australia
San Francisco's chief NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams, were given territorial rights to Australia and already have been linked to a game down under on the 2026 docket.
The remaining unknowns were "when" and "against whom."
While the date and time has yet to be established, we now know LA will square off against the 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia:
See you at the @MCG!
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 5, 2026
Los Angeles holds territorial rights (along with the Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles) in both Australia and New Zealand, meaning this particular game points to the Niners being the "road" team.
That might not matter so much when both teams have exceptionally long flights from the West Coast. But it does carry weight when considering San Francisco won't have to sacrifice a home game at Levi's Stadium to play host overseas.
The Rams, meanwhile, probably don't mind in light of their own attendance woes versus the 49ers at SoFI Stadium.
It's also likely this NFC West bout takes place early in the season, potentially Week 1, as both teams would have extreme travel demands across the Pacific ocean.
That'll be announced, though, when the 2026 regular-season schedule gets released at some point this upcoming May.